Lana’i Diver Killed in Tour Boat Accident Was Using Dive Flag

By Wendy Osher

Maui police have identified the diver killed in a boating accident off of Lana’i as Alan Amoncio, 51, of Lana’i City.  Amoncio was reportedly free diving with his wife, Kittrick Hamilton-Amoncio at around 10:35 a.m, on Sunday, July 31, 2011, when he was struck by a tour boat just outside of the break wall at Kaumalapau Harbor.

Lanai police arrived on scene at around 10:57 p.m. to find fire and medic personnel already on scene.  Information from responding crews revealed that the victim had expired after being struck by the propellers of a Zodiac boat.

The Zodiac boat, which is based out of Lahaina, was being operated by a 43-year-old Lahaina resident who is employed as a boat captain. Authorities say there were 18 passengers on the boat at the time of the incident.

According to police reports, Amoncio’s wife had separated from him during the dive, and was closer to the break wall when she observed the boat quickly approaching the harbor entrance.  Authorities say Amoncio’s wife was about 50 to 70 feet away from her husband when she surfaced to get the attention of the boat.  Maui police say the woman saw her husband surface, and then observed the boat drive directly over him.

Maui police say the boat captain immediately stopped the vessel and jumped into the ocean to check on Amoncio. Although the captain was able to retrieve Amoncio’s body, Amoncio was lifeless and sustained multiple injuries including a severed left arm.  The pronouncement of death was later made at the Lanai Community Hospital at 11:30 a.m.

Amoncio was reported to be diving with his dive flag attached to his body. The dive flag was recovered by police.

Maui police have since ruled out alcohol on the driver of the boat.  The fatal incident remains under investigation.