Ayau still in critical condition after swimming incident

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

Henry Ayau, an expert waterman and recognized figure in the local entertainment scene, remained in critical condition last night at Straub Hospital, his brother said.

On Wednesday, Ayau, 60, went for an afternoon swim and he was later found floating offshore of the Elks Lodge just before 5 p.m. Rescuers carried him to shore, administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation and shocked him once with an automatic external defibrillator.

Paramedics took him to Straub. Yesterday, friends and well-wishers visited the man described as "Mr. Aloha."

"So many of his friends — kahus and priests — said so many nice prayers and positive things," his brother Butch Ayau said of the visitors. "They said, 'You never can tell. Miracles happen.' But this is an uphill battle."

Butch Ayau said entertainers such as Melveen Leed, Don Ho, Brickwood Galuteria and the Brothers Cazimero offered their prayers and well-wishes.

"We sure need those prayers," Butch Ayau said.

This morning a neurologist was scheduled to talk with the family about Henry Ayau's condition, Butch Ayau said.