Tourist dies after kitesurfing accident at popular Hawaii beach
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A 63-year-old California man died after a kitesurfing accident at Kailua Beach in Oahu, Hawaii.
Hawaii has the second highest drowning rate in the U.S., and tourists are particularly at risk.
A California man died after a kitesurfing accident on Wednesday at a popular beach on Oahu, according to the Honolulu Emergency Services Department (EMS). It was one of two rescues at the same beach that day.
Honolulu Ocean Safety responded to a 9-1-1 call at 11:33 a.m. for an unresponsive 63-year-old male – whose identity was not released – at Kailua Beach. The beach is frequently visited by locals and tourists on the east side of the island. The cause of the accident is unknown as of Monday.
Ocean Safety first responders pulled him out of the water and administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation. They also used an automated external defibrillator on him before Honolulu EMS and the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) arrived at the scene to give advanced life support. He was taken to the emergency room in critical condition, where he died two days later on Friday.
About 90 minutes prior, another 9-1-1 call for a different unresponsive male in his 60s came through after beachgoers found him at Kailua Beach.
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"Bystanders recognized he wasn't breathing and started cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)," a Honolulu EMS spokesperson told USA TODAY in a statement. "The man was wearing a life vest at the time he went into cardiac arrest and is known to be a kite surfer in the area."
Ocean Safety arrived within three minutes to take over CPR efforts, also using an automated external defibrillator multiple times. Honolulu EMS and HFD co-responded, putting him on advanced life support. He regained a pulse and was transported to the hospital.
Both incidents occurred at a beach break known locally as "Flagpoles" along Kailua Beach. Lifeguards at towers located about a half-mile in both directions responded on jet skis, officials said.
Hawaii's waters are unpredictable and can be dangerous for those even with experience in the ocean. The drowning rate for Hawaii residents is the second highest in the nation behind Alaska, according to the 2025 Hawaii Water Safety Plan. Other ocean-related incidents – such as injuries, water sports accidents, hazardous surf conditions and going out alone – also pose significant dangers.
Tourists, who are often unfamiliar with the ocean, are at an even greater risk at the beach. Tourists comprise half of all drownings in the islands despite making up just 12% of the de facto population. It is the leading cause of death for Hawaii visitors.
Honolulu Ocean Safety previously told USA TODAY that visiting beachgoers are taking more chances by entering waters not patrolled by lifeguards, cliff jumping or swimming at night, increasing the need for more lifeguard towers and ocean safety education.
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