Spear fisher dies at Coconut Island

A 77-year-old man died Friday near Coconut Island in Hilo.

Police officers responded to an 11:30 a.m. report of a spear fisherman in distress. Upon arrival, along with Fire Department Rescue personnel, police saw that the man had already been removed from the ocean and was unresponsive, according to police.

The man was transported to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Police are continuing the investigation an initiated an coroner’s inquest to determine exact cause of death.

Police declined to release the man’s name.