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Victim of Apparent Drowning Identified 02-17-01

HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
KONA PATROL
OFFICER DAVID ARAKI
PHONE: 326-4646
FEBRUARY 17, 2001
G-58222/KN
CORONERS INQUEST

MEDIA RELEASE UPDATE

A Hilo man apparently drowned Saturday (February 17, 2001) after he fell into the ocean while picking opihi at Kaiwi Point in North Kona.

The victim was identified as Kevin Higa, 36.

Police and fire rescue units responded to a 2:40 p.m. call that a drowning victim was being brought to the Kailua Pier by boat.

Witnesses said the Higa was picking opihi with a friend when he fell into the water and wasn’t able to make it back to shore.

Persons aboard boats in the area, the Body Glove and Jack’s Diving Locker, pulled the victim from the water, administered cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and brought him to the Kailua Pier, where waiting rescue personnel continued with CPR.

The victim was taken to the Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:32 p.m.

Police has classified the incident as a coroner’s inquest and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

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