Diver's death near Blow Hole a mystery

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

A man died yesterday afternoon while scuba diving near the Halona Blow Hole.

The man, whose name was not released, surfaced with a group of people near the "Here to Eternity" cove at about 2:30 p.m., said Jim Howe, chief of operations for the city's Ocean Safety Division. The man, in his mid- to late-50s, then headed back alone to the cove, Howe said.

When he got to within 15 feet of the shore, he began to yell for help, Howe said. Beachgoers went into the water, grabbed the man and brought him to the beach.

But Howe said the man was not breathing and did not have a pulse. One bystander began CPR while another called for help.

The man was taken to The Queen's Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.

Howe said conditions were "extremely calm" with no surf, and very little wind.

"It was actually good conditions for diving," he said.

Meanwhile, a 64-year-old tourist who drowned off Ala Moana Beach Park on New Year's Day has been identified as Frederick Young of Newark, Calif. Young apparently drowned while swimming off the beach park's tennis courts. He was spotted floating face down in waist-deep water by a surfer shortly after noon.

Young was taken to Straub Clinic and Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The city medical examiner determined that Young died of asphyxiation by drowning.

Reach Curtis Lum at 525-8025 or at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.