Idaho visitor dies in waters off Lumaha‘i Beach

A 20-year-old woman visiting from Idaho died Wednesday afternoon after being pulled from waters off Lumaha‘i Beach.

At approximately 3 p.m. on Feb. 28, first responders were dispatched to Lumaha‘i Beach for a swimmer in distress. According to a preliminary report, the victim had been swimming when she was suddenly swept out into deeper water.

Kaua‘i Fire Department personnel with the Kaiākea fire station, Rescue 3 aboard Air 1, and Ocean Safety Bureau lifeguards with the North Roving Patrol Unit responded to the incident. Rescue 3 aboard Air 1 located the unresponsive woman in the water at approximately 3:10 p.m.

She was brought to shore by lifeguards. Rescuers immediately began to administer CPR until AMR medics arrived on scene and took over advanced resuscitation efforts. The woman was transported to the Wilcox Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

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

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

“Our ocean can be beautiful and enticing, but it can also be unpredictable and dangerous. We urge the public to check conditions before going out and to look for ocean hazards such as rip currents, rocks and shore breaks. If in doubt, don’t go out and only undertake ocean activities where a lifeguard is present,” said Acting Assistant Chief Paul Applegate.