MEDIA RELEASE

On Friday, November 5, 2012, at approximately 11:20 a.m., police officers responded to Moku Ola (Coconut Island) for a reported spear fisherman in distress. Upon arrival, along with Fire Department Rescue personnel, a 77 year-old man had already been removed from the ocean and was unresponsive. The man party was transported to Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Police are continuing the investigation an initiated an Coroner’s Inquest to determine exact cause of death. The name of the decedent is not being released at this time.