Male Visitor Dies in Waters off ‘Anini Beach

The Kaua‘i Police Department reports that a visitor from the mainland died of an apparent drowning earlier this week.

A news release from police states an 81-year-old man died Monday afternoon in waters off ‘Anini Beach.

At approximately 12:40 p.m. on Monday, Hanalei firefighters and ocean safety officers were dispatched to ‘Anini Beach for a man who was reported unresponsive in the water.

Ocean safety officers with the Wanini Roving Patrol Unit arrived on the scene and found the unresponsive man face down in the water wearing a snorkel mask, about 100 yards from shore. They brought him to shore and immediately began administering CPR.

AMR medics arrived shortly after and took over advance resuscitation efforts, but the man could not be revived. He was later pronounced dead by a medical professional.

He has been identified as James Pirkle Jr., of California.

An autopsy is pending to determine the exact cause of death, but foul play is not suspected.

This is the second north shore drowning this month, where on Friday, Aug. 5 at 5:30 p.m., first responders were dispatched to Wainiha Bay for a swimmer in distress. According to a preliminary report, the man was bodyboarding when he lost his board and was swept out into deeper water.

Volunteers with Life’s Bridges, a grief counseling service, were contacted to offer support to the man’s family.