California tourist dies after being pulled from water at Poʻipū Beach Park on Kauaʻi

A female tourist, 77-year-old Judith Bailey of California, was pronounced dead on Monday after being pulled from waters at Po‘ipū Beach Park, according to the Kauaʻi Police Department.

Shortly after 11:35 a.m., Ocean Safety Bureau personnel spotted a snorkeler in distress and pulled her from waters in the lagoon area at Poʻipū Beach Park.

When firefighters from the Kōloa fire station arrived on scene at 11:40 a.m., the California visitor was conscious and alert before personnel with American Medical Response took over the incident, according to a preliminary report from the Kaua‘i Fire Department.

Medics transported Bailey to the Wilcox Medical Center, where she later died. Autopsy results are still pending. Volunteers from Life’s Bridges, a grief counseling service, assisted Bailey’s family.  

“We are saddened to report this death of another visitor,” said Kennison Nagahisa, acting captain of the Kaua’i Police Investigative Services Bureau. “We remind the public to be aware of your surroundings and your abilities in the water.”

The last water related death took place on June 10, 2023, at Makua Beach, commonly known as Tunnels.