Kona Information Update for May 16th, 2019

Apparent Drowning Incident at Kealakekua Bay Thursday morning (May 16th)

The Hawaii Fire Department (HFD) along with the Hawaii Police Department (HPD) responded to apparent drowning incident that occurred at Kealakekua Bay in Captain Cook, South Kona Thursday morning (May 16th).

The initial call came in at 10:32 am and crews from the Keauhou Fire Station responded to the scene at Keauhou Pier. Upon the arrival of HFD crews, employees aboard a commercial snorkel tour vessel discovered one of their guest (described as a male party in his late 70's) floating face down in the water and immediately brought the male party back aboard the vessel and initiated life-saving measures while en-route back to Keauhou Bay to rendezvous with HFD crews awaiting their arrival.

Once at Keauhou Pier, HFD crews immediately took over and continued all life-saving measures and transported the male patient to the Kona Community Hospital in extremely critical condition, where he was later pronounced dead.

HPD is investigating the incident and have ordered autopsy determine the exact cause of death.