HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
KONA PATROL DIVISION
LIEUTENANT LEO K. JITCHAKU
PHONE: 326-4646
DECEMBER 21, 2004
I-16488
PUBLIC ACCIDENT

MEDIA RELEASE

A 37-year-old man apparently drowned Tuesday (December 21, 2004) in waters off Magic Sands Beach in Kailua-Kona.

The victim was identified as Wilson Oliva, of no permanent address.

Responding to a 2:21 p.m. call, Kona patrol officers arrived at the scene to find lifeguards and fire rescue personnel administering cardio-pulmonary resuscitation to the victim.

Oliva was then taken to the Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:08 p.m.

Witnesses said waves in the area at the time were eight to 10 feet tall. Witnesses said the victim was swimming among the waves when he went under one wave and never surfaced again. A lifeguard swam out and brought the victim to shore.

Police have classified the incident as a public accident and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

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