On Sunday, February 18, a 29-year-old woman from Kea‘au on Hawaii’s Big Island lost her life after falling off a cliff into the ocean. The Hawaii Police Department reported that the accident occurred in the vicinity of Paradise Drive and Beach Road in Kea‘au just before 2 a.m.
Kala‘iokealaula Ashley Nicole Reyes Kanekoa was watching the waves in a romantic outing with her boyfriend, 31-year-old Dylan Gapp, who witnessed her fall. In a desperate attempt to save her, Gapp threw a raft out toward Kanekoa, but after clinging to it for 45 minutes she was swept away by the strong ocean currents.
Despite the swift arrival of police and firefighters within seven minutes of the 911 call, the rescue efforts were hampered by perilous conditions and darkness, as well as a critical lack of ocean rescue equipment among the fire department units present.
Gapp, in a statement, shared his agony over being unable to rescue Kanekoa, describing the harrowing moments of hearing her cries for help. After realizing the delay in the arrival of specialized rescue equipment Gapp himself tried to reach her by swimming out into the ocean to the raft she was hanging onto. Unfortunately, by the time he returned, Kanekoa was no longer in sight.
The search for Kanekoa persisted into the morning, with the fire department and the Coast Guard joining forces. Her body was eventually discovered at around 8 a.m., four miles down the shore near Honolulu Landing in Pāhoa. She was transported to the Hilo Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead at 10:58 a.m. An autopsy conducted on Tuesday confirmed that Kanekoa’s death was due to accidental drowning.
The police have since ruled out foul play and are awaiting the results of toxicology reports to complete their investigation.
Kanekoa’s untimely death has deeply affected her loved ones and the wider community, with Gapp emphasizing her loving and caring nature, particularly towards her children. The community is mourning the loss of a vibrant life cut tragically short.
This incident raises critical questions about cliff safety and the need for enhanced ocean rescue capabilities. Experts suggest that increased safety measures, including better signage, barriers, and public education on the risks associated with coastal cliffs, could help prevent future tragedies. Additionally, the lack of ocean rescue equipment highlights a significant gap in emergency preparedness.
