Waikiki Beach drowning victim was Japanese deputy mayor
A 63-year-old Japanese man who died after being pulled from the ocean Saturday in Waikiki has been identified as Takehiko Kimura, the vice mayor of Chigasaki in Kanagawa Prefecture, according to the Honolulu mayor’s office.
Kimura’s cause of death has not been determined, the Honolulu Medical Examiner’s office said.
Kimura was in Hawaii for a sister city signing ceremony on Friday, a city press release said.
"We were shocked and saddened to learn of the loss of Deputy Mayor Kimura on Saturday morning," Mayor Kirk Caldwell said in the release. "He was such a wonderful and warm person, full of pride to represent his city. Our hearts are very heavy, and I offer our deepest sympathy to his family, Mayor Hattori, and the rest of the Chigasaki delegation."
Police said Kimura was found unresponsive in the water about 8 a.m. Saturday.
Paramedics treated him and took him in critical condition to Straub Clinic & Hospital, where he died, officials said.
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Paramedics said Kimura may have been surfing near the Duke Kahanamoku statue.