The family of a 56-year old Honolulu man today sued the Hilton Hawaiian Village, saying that his death was caused by injuries suffered when he got caught in the suction of the drain of the newly rebuilt Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon in Waikïkï.

Attorney Mark Davis filed suit yesterday in Circuit Court on behalf of the family of Bill Stock, a disabled athlete who got into trouble while swimming at the lagoon on July 30 and died the next day at The Queen’s Medical Center.
According to Davis, Stock was swimming at the lagoon when he was trapped by the strong suction and flat underwater drain gate, less than five feet below the surface.
Swimmers and surf instructors who attempted to save Stock’s life reported that it took three people to pull him free of the drain, Davis said. Stock was a disabled athlete who was a strong and active swimmer as well as an advocate for other disabled athletes, he added.
“We consider it quite dangerous,” Davis said, with Stock’s 22-year-old son, Jacob, looking on.
Hilton Hawaiçi declined to comment specifically on the pending litigation, according to Jerry Gibson, Area Vice President & Managing Director, Hilton Hawaii, who said he had not seen the lawsuit yesterday afternoon.
“We offer our sincere condolences to the Stock family at this difficult time,” Gibson said.
Jacob Stock said his family is devastated by the loss and went forward with the lawsuit to prevent any further injuries.
“It’s wrong; it should have been prevented,” Stock said.