Waimea drowning victim was a teacher, minister
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
The San Francisco Bay Area man who drowned Tuesday at the pool at Waimea Falls was a minister who came to Honolulu to perform a wedding ceremony.
The Honolulu medical examiner's office yesterday identified the victim as Jay Lau, 27. The office said Lau died of asphyxia due to a drowning accident.
Jessica Lani Rich, president and executive director of the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawai'i, said Lau was a high school math and science teacher in San Francisco and was an ordained minister through an online service.
Lau married a couple here on Monday and was relaxing with friends Tuesday at Waimea Falls Park.
Fire Rescue 1 scuba divers recovered Lau's body at a depth of 26 feet.
Lau lived in San Francisco, Rich said.
The visitor society provided support for Lau's girlfriend and friends at the park, and Rich presided over an informal memorial service there for the group.
Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.
