Fatality off Puna Coast, Big Island Hawaii

[DandyDon]

The story says he was diving from a commercial dive boat, but only one adult and a child onboard besides the diver?

From Possible Drowning Victim Retrieved From Dive Boat | Big Island Now

The lifeless body of a man who apparently got into trouble today while operating from a dive boat off the Puna coast was retrieved by helicopter, Fire Department officials said.
Acting Capt. Howard Hose of the Pahoa station said a 911 call was received at 10:09 a.m. from the commercial dive boat. The caller said he was heading north to take the apparent drowning victim to the Pohoiki boat ramp.

Hose said because it would take at least a half-hour for the boat to reach the ramp, the Fire Department’s Chopper 1 intercepted the boat in front of the Kalapana Seaview Estates subdivision. Paramedics used a Billy Pugh net to recover the diver who was lifted to a landing zone established in front of the subdivision.
Paramedics examining the man on shore found he had died.
The incident began south of the coastline fronting Kalapana Seaview Estates, Hose said, although it wasn’t clear exactly where. Because there was only one other adult and a child aboard the boat, there was no one available to both pilot the boat and administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation, he said.
The identity or age of the victim was not immediately released.

 

[scubahawk27]

A lot of things don't make sense with this one. I just saw on the news them giving CPR on shore next to the ramp. Two life gaurds. I didnt see a helicopter. Does anyone know the whole story of how he died?

 

[AfterDark]

Makes me question why CPR wasn't given instead of a boat ride? A copper can get somebody off a boat or put people on it that can render aid. No radio? What's a commercial dive boat? A charter? What kind of commercial boat has only a captain? No mate? No crew?

 

[Thtdvrgrl]

This is a sad situation for both parties I am sure all that could have been done was and hopefully they they get some awnsers soon. I knew the people involved and i pray for the family of the man who passed away and pray they get awnsers to what happend

---------- Post added May 7th, 2012 at 06:46 PM ----------

The lifeless body of a man who apparently got into trouble Sunday while operating from a dive boat off the Puna coast was retrieved by helicopter, Fire Department officials said.
Police today identified the apparent drowning victim as Henry Kaawako, 44, of Pahoa.
Acting Capt. Howard Hose of the Pahoa station Sunday said a 911 call was received at 10:09 a.m. from the commercial dive boat. The caller said he was heading north to take the apparent drowning victim to the Pohoiki boat ramp.
According to police, Kaawakoa had been diving from the boat when his companions discovered him floating in the water. Foul play is not suspected.
Hose said because it would take at least a half-hour for the boat to reach the ramp, the Fire Department’s Chopper 1 intercepted the boat in front of the Kalapana Seaview Estates subdivision. Paramedics used a Billy Pugh net to recover the diver who was lifted to a landing zone established in front of the subdivision.
Paramedics examining the man on shore were unable to revive him. Kaawakoa was taken to Hilo Medical Center where he was officially pronounced dead at 1:30 p.m.
The incident began south of the coastline fronting Kalapana Seaview Estates, Hose said, although it wasn’t clear exactly where. Because there was only one other adult and a child aboard the boat, there was no one available to both pilot the boat and administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation, he said.
An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.

---------- Post added May 9th, 2012 at 12:19 AM ----------

Just so everyone is clear on this matter the autopsy results came back today
and the diver who passed away died of a heart attack while in the water. So was dead
for who knows how long before the others found him. Rip Henry

 

[DandyDon]

Follow up story: Heart Attack Contributed to Death of Commercial Diver | Big Island Now

An autopsy has revealed that a commercial diver, whose body was airlifted from a boat off Kalapana Seaview Estates on May 6, died of drowning but had also suffered a heart attack which was a contributing factor to his death, police spokeswoman Chris Loos said today.
Henry Kaawakoa, 44, of Pahoa was spearfishing off the Halape area when he was found floating in the water.
His diving companions were taking him to the Pohoiki boat ramp when they were intercepted by the the Fire Department’s Chopper 1.