MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island police have classified the possible drowning of a cruise ship passenger Wednesday, April 13 as a coroner’s inquest.

Shortly before noon, Kona patrol officers responded to Kona Community Hospital to a report of a man who was dead on arrival.

Kenneth Clem, 65, of Humble, Texas, was snorkeling with his wife and friends at Kahaluu Beach Park when a lifeguard noticed he was face down and not moving.

The lifeguard pulled him from the water and started cardiopulmonary resuscitation until Fire Department rescue personnel arrived and continued efforts to revive him.

He was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

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