8-14-23 Police Investigating Possible Drowning in South Kohala

By Denise Laitinen | Published: August 14, 2023

Hawai‘i Police Department
South Kohala District
Sergeant Ray Fukada
Phone: (808) 887-3080
Report No.: 23-077146

Media Release

Hawai‘i Island police are investigating a possible drowning that took place on Friday, August 11, 2023, along the shoreline in South Kohala. Police have identified the victim as Joann Butler, 72, of Boise, Idaho.

On Friday at 5:57 p.m., officers responded to a report of a female swimmer face down and unresponsive in shallow water at Makaiwa Beach off Kaniku Place. Upon arrival, officers found bystanders performing CPR and Hawai‘i Fire Department medics were summoned. The woman was taken to Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital but she remained unresponsive and was pronounced dead at 8:55 p.m.

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

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