Hawaiʻi Police Department
North Kohala District
Captain Jason Cortez
Phone: 889-6540
Media Release
A 79-year-old Kapaʻau man was found dead Monday (December 2) while fishing with a throw net along the North Kohala coastline.
He has been identified as Alfredo Orita.
His 71-year-old female companion reported that Orita was using a throw net along the coastline near the Halaula lighthouse when she lost sight of him for a few minutes. She then saw him floating face down in the ocean.
The Hawaiʻi Fire Department dispatched a helicopter and found Orita approximately 200 yards offshore. A rescue helicopter was dispatched from Hilo and recovered the body.
North Kohala patrol officers responded to the 11:23 a.m. call and initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
Police ask anyone with information about this incident to call Officer Dale Ku at 889-6540.
