HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
KA’U PATROL DISTRICT
SERGEANT TEOFILO JIMENEZ
PHONE: 939-2520
DECEMBER 30, 1999
G-15151
MEDIA RELEASE
A 37-year-old man apparently drowned Wednesday night (December 29, 1999) in waters off Pohina Pali at Honuapo in the Ka’u District.
The victim was identified as Jason Hirae, of 198 Olu Street in Hilo.
Responding to a 10:54 p.m. call Wednesday, Ka’u police officers determined that Hirae was free-diving at night with several companions off Pohina Pali when another diver found him unconscious and brought him to shore, where he tried to give the victim first aid until fire rescue personnel arrived.
Hirae was taken to the Ka’u Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 12:20 a.m. Thursday.
Police have classified the case as a public accident and have asked for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of Hirae’s death. The investigation is continuing pending autopsy results.
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