Kawaihae Man Dies While Working on Roof

South Kohala police said foul play is not believed to be a factor in the death of a 49-year-old Kawaihae man found lifeless Monday afternoon while working on the roof of a Waimea home.

South Kohala police said Barry Bokmej was using a pressure washer to clean the roof of the Alo Loa Street home while another man was cutting weeds in the yard below.

When the person who had hired them stopped by to check on their progress, Bokmej was observed lying face down on the roof of the two-story home.

Big Island firefighters called to the home were hampered by wet and windy weather, and the steep pitch and 35-foot height of the roof. They were eventually able to recover the body with the use of a ladder truck.

The case has been classified as a coroner’s inquest and an autopsy will be done to determine the cause of death.