Media Release

At 11:58 a.m. Saturday (September 13) Ka’u police received a report of an apparent drowning at Pohinapale, Naalehu.

A 54-year-old man was reportedly struck by a large wave and swept into a blowhole while picking Opihi. He was unable to get out of the blowhole and apparently drowned. Fire Department personnel found the man approximately 150 yards off shore. They transported him to Ka’u Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police do not suspect foul play. The case is classified as a coroner’s inquest.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.