Marine Strong Wind — Big Island Leeward Waters, Hawaii Waters

2009-01-11 · near Keahole Point, Big Island Leeward Waters, Hawaii Waters

Event narrative

A couple out fishing in an 18-foot fiberglass boat were helping three kayakers in distress. One kayaker was helped onto the boat, but before the others could be rescued, the boat's engine died. The boat drifted toward the shore and caught on fire. The man on the boat hit his head, fell overboard, and drowned. Everyone else made it to safety, most with the help of fire rescue personnel.

Winds and seas had picked up as the attempted rescue of the kayakers was being made, and heavy showers were falling, according to the wife of the deceased man.

Wider weather episode

Prefrontal conditions in waters off the west side of the Big Island of Hawaii were contributing factors that led to the death of a boater.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (19.6918, -156.0484)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 145267. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.