A tourist drowned Tuesday in Poipu, the fourth visitor to drown on Kauai this month.
The victim was identified Wednesday as Jake Jelinek, 74, of Arvada, Colo.
Shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday, police said Jelinek was swimming off Keoneloa Bay, also known as Shipwreck Beach, when he encountered large waves. He hit his head on a reef while struggling in the water, Kauai County officials said.
KAUAI DROWNINGS
Three other drownings have occurred on Kauai so far this year, all of which involved visitors:
» March 3: Lifeguards recovered the body of Travis Beckwith, 26, of Queens, N.Y., off Salt Pond Beach in Eleele. Snorkelers discovered Beckwith’s body in roughly 10 feet of water about 75 yards offshore. Lifeguards were notified and they recovered the body. Beckwith was pronounced dead at the scene.
» March 21: Michael Stone, 72, of Boston was observed swimming roughly 30 yards offshore fronting Plantation Hale in Wailua. Police said he appeared to be in distress and signaled for help. A friend and a beachgoer swam out and brought Stone, who was unresponsive, to shore. Firefighters performed CPR and medics transported him to Wilcox Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
» March 22: David Deville, 48, of Phoenix, Ariz., was snorkeling off Mahaulepu Beach in Poipu when he began showing signs of distress. Beachgoers brought him to shore, where fellow beachgoers performed CPR. Firefighters continued CPR until medics arrived. He was pronounced dead at Wilcox Hospital a short time later.
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Police said a family member swam out to him when he was seen floating face down. The family member and beachgoers brought Jelinek to shore and performed CPR until fire personnel arrived.
Efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.
Medics transported him to Wilcox Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Jelinek’s death and two other drownings over the weekend happened at beaches with no lifeguards.
Capt. Randy Ortiz of the Kauai Police Department’s Ocean Safety Bureau urges the public to go to any of the county’s 10 guarded beaches.
"We’re there to help them and have them go to a safe beach so they can enjoy their vacations safely," he said.
Ortiz noted there has been a slight increase of visitors on the island because of spring break.
One of the four drownings this month occurred at Salt Pond Beach in Eleele. Though it is a guarded beach, the victim, Travis Beckwith, 26, of Queens, N.Y., was believed to have headed to the beach after hours when lifeguards were not on duty.
In April 2013, the county stepped up efforts to educate visitors on ocean safety following an spike in drownings. They began airing an ocean safety video at Lihue Airport’s baggage claim area.
The number of drownings on Kauai in 2013 was 17. That figure dropped to six in 2014.
Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kauai Visitors Bureau, said tourism officials do their best to share ocean safety information to visitors.
"It’s hard to get to every single person," she said. "Even if you do, they’re going to make their decision. You can only do the best you can and hope they listen."
Ortiz said the airport’s ocean safety video has helped curb drownings.
It’s vital for visitors to be aware of ocean conditions, he added. There are visitors who are so in awe of the island’s natural beauty that they fail to take a moment to check ocean conditions or observe warning signs, Ortiz said.
People also gather information via websites and social media of secluded, unguarded beaches, areas that lifeguards do not recommend.
