Haiku Free Diver Pulled From Waters at Kanaha

Kanaha, file aerial photography by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

A Haiku man died after a search and rescue mission was launched to find him in waters off of Kanaha Beach on Saturday afternoon.

Officials say friends asked ocean safety officers to help when the man failed to return to shore with the rest of the group that he was free diving with.

The man was found unresponsive and submerged on the ocean floor, and tethered to his diving buoy, said Maui County Paramedics Association spokesperson, Ryan Joslin.

The diver was brought to shore by ocean safety officers who initiated CPR until responding medics arrived at 1 p.m. to take over patient care, said Joslin.

Authorities said the man was transported in critical condition to the Maui Memorial Medical Center where he later died.