Fisherman, would-be rescuer found dead after they are swept out to sea off Big Island
Two men died in waters off Kau after a current swept them out to sea Friday night.
They have been identified as 42-year-old Patrick Fuga of Holualoa and 39-year-old Petelo “Lo” Finau of Kailua-Kona, according to the Hawaii County Police Department.
Police, Hawaii Fire Department and Coast Guard responded to a call of a fisherman who fell into the water along the remote shoreline at the end of the Road to the Sea at about 10:55 p.m. Friday.
Family members and bystanders entered the water and attempted to rescue the man later identified as Fuga, police said. Finau tried to rescue Fuga when a current swept them further out into the ocean.
Three others made it safely back to shore.
Responders launched a search for the two men.
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Police said the Coast Guard’s MH-65 Dolphin helicopter located the unresponsive men in the ocean at about 3:24 a.m. Saturday.
They were flown to the Milolii boat ramp and taken to Kona Community Hospital where they were pronounced dead. An autopsy is expected to be performed to determine the exact cause of death.
Police have opened a possible drowning investigation.
