MEDIA RELEASE

A Kaʻū man died Monday (December 22) in waters off Kaʻalualu Bay.

He has been identified as 68-year-old Perfecto Mercado of Nāʻālehu.

At 5:11 p.m. Monday, police responded to the end of South Point Road for a report of a possible drowning. The unresponsive victim was found floating in waters approximately 40 to 50 yards off Kaʻalualu Bay.

Bystanders removed him from the water and moved him to South Point Road. There, they were met by police and Hawaiʻi Fire Department medics, who transported him to Kaʻū Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 6:49 p.m.

Police do no suspect foul play. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.