Man critical after near drowning at ‘Spitting Caves’

A young man was left in critical condition following a near drowning incident at the “Spitting Caves” area outside Maunalua Bay.

Lifeguards responding to a 5 p.m. emergency call found the man about 10 to 12 feet under water and jumped off a ledge to assist him. Personnel on a rescue watercraft also assisted in transporting the man back to Koko Marina.

Lifeguards performed CPR on the man during the transport back to shore.

Emergency Medical Services transported the man, believed to be about 20 years old, to a local trauma center.

Spitting Cave is a popular spot for cliff-jumping on the seaward side of Koko Head. When waves that roll into the cave and hit the back wall, whitewater is “spit” back out of the mouth of the cave.