1 Dead, 2 Critical in Separate Ocean Rescues on Maui

Kapalua, file photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

***An UPDATE to this story is now posted at the following DIRECT LINK.

A fisherman on Maui suffered fatal injuries after he was reported missing on Monday afternoon in rough waters off of Pilale Bay.

The incident was reported at 2:30 p.m., on Monday, March 11, at the bay off of Kulike Road in Haiku where the man had been fishing with two other friends.

Rescue crews aboard the Maui Fire Department Air 1 helicopter located the man face-down in the water about 100 yards offshore, said Maui Fire Captain and Acting Public Information Officer, Paul Haake.

Authorities say the tide was high and the surf was reported at 10 feet during the incident.

Two other ocean rescues were reported on Monday afternoon—both resulting in critical injuries.

At around noon, fire crews from Napili responded to Kapalua Bay for a report of a near drowning.

Upon arrival, first responders found a 60-year-old Japanese female who had been pulled from the water by onlookers while snorkeling with family at the bay, said Capt. Haake.

In a separate incident, at around 2:45 p.m., ladder crews from Lahaina responded to the beachfront near the Ka’anapali Villas for a report of an unconscious woman that was pulled from the water.

Upon arrival, authorities say first responders found CPR already in progress on the 55-year-old Canadian woman.

In both incidents, the visitors were transported to the hospital via medics in critical condition.