Man, 21, dies after being swept off East Oahu lookout
The off-limits Rock Bridge near the southern point of Hanauma Bay has been the scene of three drownings in the last year, including a young Navy sailor on Saturday. A high-surf advisory is in effect for the south shores of all islands and for the eastern shores of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui and the Big Island through 6 p.m. Monday.
Honolulu firefighters located the body of a 21-year-old military man who was washed into the ocean Saturday afternoon at a popular attraction beyond a restricted area near Hanauma Bay.
At approximately 2:50 p.m. fire department scuba divers found the man unconscious, not breathing and without a pulse in 110 feet of water. Firefighters transported the man to the Maunalua Bay boat ramp where emergency medical services were waiting.
The incident occurred during a high surf warning for east-facing shores of all islands from Kauai to Hawaii Island, except Lanai, and a high surf advisory for all south-facing shores.
Honolulu Fire Department Capt. David Jenkins said the man was swept off the rocks at Rock Bridge, near an area called “Baboon’s Nose” on the south edge of the bay.
Jenkins said the man’s friends called for help at 12:12 p.m. as the man was struggling in the water.
Access to Rock Bridge, a shoreline formation that appears to be a bridge over the water, is through an area that is off-limits to the public and has a posted no trespassing sign.
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Jenkins said the man is a member of the military.
Firefighters dispatched a boat and a helicopter to assist in the search.
The Coast Guard also sent an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and a 45-foot boat.
Lifeguards also searched by personal watercraft and paddle boards.
According to the Weather Service, a high surf warning is in effect until 6 p.m. Monday. Surf was forecast to be 10 to 18 feet along east-facing shores and 6 to 10 feet along south-facing shores until late Monday.
The Weather Service warned that water could sweep across beaches and impact coastal properties and structures.
Powerful currents will be present at most beaches, the Weather Service said, adding that inexperienced people should remain off beaches and adjacent beachfront areas.
Last October, one man died and his girlfriend went missing after a wave apparently swept the couple into the ocean near Rock Bridge.
Hikers found bags belonging to Noemi Alcotas and Jojo Acosta on a cliff near the rock formation and called firefighters.
Acosta’s body was discovered in the water later that day. Firefighters searched three days for Alcotas, but never found her body.
