1 man drowns,
2 survive heavy
surf off Kauai

1 of 2 uncles visiting their
Kauai nephew loses his life

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By Anthony Sommer
tsommer@starbulletin.com

LIHUE >> Three members of the same family were sucked out to sea yesterday morning by heavy surf on Kauai's north shore.

One drowned, another was able to swim ashore and the third was rescued by lifeguards.

Numerous relatives watched but were unable to help, fire officials said.

The names of the victims were not released. They were identified as two mainland brothers visiting Kauai and their nephew, a resident of the island.

Witnesses told investigators the nephew and one of his uncles were swimming at Queen's Bath, a cove below Princeville that has been the scene of numerous accidents in the past. The trail to Queen's Bath is marked with several signs warning people not to swim there. The signs frequently are ignored.

A large wave broke in the cove and then receded, pulling the two men outward. The third man was attempting help his brother and nephew when another large wave hit the shore and pulled him into the water.

The nephew was able to climb the rocks to safety. His uncles, both reported to be in their 40s, were unable to swim to shore.

Relatives on shore used a cell phone to call for help. Lifeguards Mark McKamey and Kris Huber from nearby Hanalei arrived on a jet ski, found one victim alive and took him to Hanalei Pier.

He was taken to Wilcox Memorial Hospital.

At the same time, firefighter Norman Solomon arrived, swam about 150 yards offshore and stayed with the drowning victim until the lifeguards could return to recover the body.

Battalion Chief Bob Kaden said McKamey and Huber saved the surviving brother's life. Kaden said the surf was between 8 and 10 feet face height.