Hawai‘i Island police are investigating a possible Nā‘ālehu drowning involving 37-year-old Garrett Amaral of Hilo.

On January 24, Ka‘ū patrol officers along with Hawai‘i County Fire Department (HFD) personnel responded to Whittington Beach Park following a report of a missing diver.

Conducting an aerial search by helicopter, HFD personnel located Amaral unresponsive in the water 100 yards off shore. He was brought to shore as medics continued life-saving measures, however they could not revive him.

At this time, no foul play is suspected and the investigation remains ongoing.

Police ask anyone with information regarding this incident to call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or via email at augustine.akiu@hawaiipolice.gov.