Kauaʻi resident dies after found unresponsive during dive class at Kukuiʻula Small Boat Harbor

On Friday morning, a 52-year-old male Līhu‘e resident identified as Kelly Vea was found unresponsive during a dive class in waters off Kukuiʻula Small Boat Harbor in Kōloa. He died on Sunday at an Oʻahu medical facility.

Personnel with the Kōloa fire station, Ocean Safety Bureau, American Medical Response, the Kaua‘i Police Department and a bystander responded to the incident.

According to a preliminary report by Kauaʻi police, shortly after 8:50 a.m. first responders received a call of a male pulled from waters at the boat harbor. Vea was learning to dive when dive instructors found him unresponsive.

Personnel with the Ocean Safety Bureau’s South Roving Ski Patrol witnessed the event and administered CPR. When Kōloa firefighters arrived, they continued CPR and resuscitation efforts.

AMR personnel took over and continued advanced life-saving treatment on the victim while in transport to Wilcox Medical Center. He was later medevacked to O‘ahu, where he died.

An autopsy is pending to determine the exact cause of death.

Volunteers with Life’s Bridges, a grief counseling service, are assisting the victim’s family.