The men, both 35 years old and brothers-in-law, were swimming past the reef near Witch's Brew, an area on the Koko Head side of the bay, said HFD spokesman Capt. Richard Soo.

Water safety officials said the first man was seen climbing a ledge near an area that has been closed to public foot traffic because of dangerous conditions.

Lifeguards spotted the man on the ledge, but when they went to get him around 11:49 a.m., he was face down in the water wearing only one swimming fin. The man was unconscious and not breathing, Soo said. The victim was taken to Straub Hospital, where he later died.

The second man was found about an hour later around 12:53 p.m. inside Witch's Brew after the first man's wife said her brother was also with him. The second man was unconscious when rescuers found him. He was taken to The Queen's Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.