Police think medical issue caused diver death in Kona

Police are investigating “a possible medical incident” Sunday that resulted in the death of scuba diver in the waters off Wawaloli Beach, commonly referred to as OTEC.

Shortly after noon, police responded to a report of a diver in distress. The 45-year-old man, later identified as Conrad Haleamau of Kailua-Kona, became unresponsive while in the water and was brought to shore by bystanders who began administering CPR.

Haleamau was transported to the Kona Community Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead at 1:10 p.m.

A coroner’s inquest has been initiated and the investigation remains ongoing pending an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.