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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

Visitor drowns off Portlock

Advertiser Staff

A 29-year-old Louisiana man drowned in waters off Portlock yesterday, according to rescue officials.

Honolulu firefighters and city lifeguards responded to a 3:45 p.m. call for a swimmer in distress at Spitting Caves along Portlock beach off Lumahai Street.

The visitor, from New Orleans, jumped off the rocks at Spitting Caves, ran into trouble and began yelling for help, said Fire Capt. Kenison Tejada. His friend, a local man in his mid-20s, jumped into the water and tried to help him but couldn't, Tejada said.

Firefighters and lifeguards helped the surviving swimmer to safety and HFD divers recovered the victim's body about 50 yards offshore in 30 feet of water, Tejada said.

Ralph Goto, city ocean safety administrator, said warning signs are always posted at the popular dive-off point cautioning swimmers about the rough water.

Honolulu Deputy Fire Chief John Clark said visitors and local residents alike should be aware of the dangers of the many rocky ocean ledges between Portlock Point and Makapu'u or on the steep beaches on the North Shore.

"A maverick swell rolls in and breaks over one of those rock ledges, especially during the summer months, or a new set rolls in on one of those steep beaches long the North Shore during the winter months, and before they have time to react, you've got people being swept off the ledges and sea cliffs or pulled back into the ocean by the backwash," Clark said.

Last year was a particularly deadly year for the state: Seventy-one visitors and residents drowned, the highest number in at least 15 years.