Hawai‘i Police Department
Kona Patrol
Sergeant Kimo Keliipaakaua
Phone: (808) 326-4646 Ext. 253
Report No.: 22-016645
Media Release
Hawai‘i Island police are investigating a possible drowning in Kona.
At 5:25 p.m. on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, officers responded to Honokōhau Small Boat Harbor for a report of a male party that went unconscious while participating in a dive tour.
Officers determined that the dive tour boat had left the harbor shortly after 4 p.m. and was 50 yards from shore when one of the divers became unresponsive. CPR was administered for 45-60 minutes until the boat arrived back at the harbor. Medical personnel continued CPR on the man however, he was still unresponsive.
The man, later identified as 64-year-old Larry Bullock from San Diego, was transported to Kona Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 9:33 p.m.
A coroner’s inquest has been initiated and the investigation remains ongoing pending an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
