Tragedy at Larsen’s Beach: A 26-year-old Kilauea man dies after being swept out to sea while diving off Kauai’s North Shore.
A 26-year-old man from Kilauea died Sunday night, June 29, 2025, after being swept out to sea while diving at Kaʻakaʻaniu Beach, also known as Larsen’s Beach, in Moloaa.
According to the County of Kauai, emergency responders were dispatched to the area at approximately 9:20 p.m. after the man’s companions reported that he had gone missing in the water. The group had been diving when the man was caught in a strong current and pulled away from shore. His companions immediately called 911.
Personnel from the Kauai Fire Department, the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE), the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Kauai Police Department’s drone team were involved in the search effort.
At approximately 11:40 p.m., the U.S. Coast Guard located the man unresponsive in the water. He was brought to shore, where first responders attempted life-saving measures. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy is pending to determine the exact cause of death. Authorities have stated that foul play is not suspected. The incident remains under investigation by the Kauai Police Department.
Larsen’s Beach is a remote North Shore beach not staffed by lifeguards. The public is advised to prioritize safety by swimming only at lifeguarded beaches. Our recommendation is to never go in the water at Larsen’s Beach.
