A 23-year-old Kamuela man apparently drowned yesterday while skin-diving near Lapakahi State Historical Park in North Kohala.

The victim, identified as Michael Morris, was "free diving" from a boat with two friends approximately 200 yards off shore outside Lapakahi Park when the dive partners lost sight of him.

After a five-minute search, Morris's body was located in about 80 feet of water on the bottom about 3 p.m..

Initial attempts by his partners to retrieve him from the bottom were unsuccessful due to the depth of the water. Fire and rescue personnel using scuba tanks were able to retrieve Morris from the bottom and perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation while taking him to Kawaihae harbor. All attempts to revive the victim failed and he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the harbor.

Hawaii Police Department personnel are continuing the investigation. An autopsy is being requested.