California man dies while snorkeling in Kauaʻi

MOLOAA, Hawaii (KHON2) — A 43-year-old male visitor from California died on the afternoon of March 14 after being pulled from the waters while snorkeling at Kaʻakaʻaniu Beach, also known as Larsen’s Beach, in Moloaʻa.

At approximately 12:30 p.m. authorities responded to the beach after getting reports of a swimmer in distress. Preliminary reports say that the visitor was reported missing after friends were unable to locate him in the water.

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The visitor was found unresponsive in the water and was brought to shore by authorities from the Kauaʻi Fire Department. Despite life-saving procedures being distributed, the visitor was declared dead at the scene.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the man’s exact cause of death, but authorities do not suspect foul play.

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Kaʻakaʻaniu Beach is not staffed with lifeguards, and KPD urges visitors to exercise caution while entering the water, and to only swim where lifeguards are present.

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