Ramon Manalo, a 66-year-old visitor from California, was pronounced dead after being pulled from waters off Poipu Beach on Thursday, August 3rd, 2023, reports the County of Kauai.
According to reports, Ocean Safety Bureau personnel from the Nukumoi Tower spotted bystanders calling for help after bringing to shore an unresponsive bodyboarder from the water near Marriott Waiohai Beach Club around noon. Once on scene, the lifeguards began to administer CPR on the man.
Upon arriving on the scene, firefighters from the Koloa fire station continued CPR efforts on the man before personnel from American Medical Response took over operations. AMR personnel continued medical treatment on Manalo while on transport to Wilcox Medical Center. However, Manalo could not be revived, and he was pronounced dead by a medical doctor at Wilcox Medical Center.
Unfortunately, more than a few people have died at Poipu Beach over the last several years. Just recently, Judith Bailey, age 77 of California, died at Poipu Beach in June 2023.
Statistically, Poipu Beach sees the highest number of deaths of any beach on Kauai. The high number of deaths are attributable, in our experience, to older visitors who become distressed in the water due to either fatigue or a medical emergency/condition. Our advice, especially for older visitors to Kauai, is to swim/snorkel with a partner and not get into a situation that could lead to excessive physical exertion.
Kauai Magazine extends our sincerest condolences to Ramon Manalo’s family, friends and all who knew him in this difficult time.