Hawai‘i Island police investigate apparent drowning at beach park in Kona

Hawai‘i Island police are investigating an apparent drowning after a man was swept out to the ocean off the Kona Coast.

Responding to a call for a swimmer in distress, officers arrived at the beach park within the Hawai‘i Ocean Science and Technology Park, commonly referred to as OTEC by residents, on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. where they learned that three men, including the victim, were near the bathrooms when he fell into the water after being hit by large waves and was unable to return to land.

According to a press release from police, the two unidentified men with the victim tried to coach the man back to land, however, the victim could not swim back to shore.

Hawai‘i Fire Department rescue personnel arrived on the scene and conducted a search, locating the victim, who had no signs of life and transported him to Honokōhau Harbor via a boat.

The man, identified as Caucasian and in his early to late 30s, was then transported to the Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

Police have initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact Kona Patrol Officer Sarha Reich at the police department’s non-emergency number 808-935-3311 or via email at Sarha.Reich@hawaiicounty.gov.