Man drowns off Honokohau

A Canadian man apparently drowned Wednesday morning while diving in waters off North Kona.

The victim has been identified as William Savage, 59, of Okotoks, Alberta, according to the Hawaii Police Department.

Savage had apparently been scuba diving with a chartered tour around 9:30 a.m. when he got caught in a reef area north of Honokohau Small Boat Harbor in Kona, said Kailua Fire Station Capt. Charles Spain. A large surge reportedly rolled in and Savage did not surface.

People on the tour pulled him to the boat and began CPR while en route to the harbor to meet with fire rescue personnel, according to police. Medics subsequently transported Savage to Kona Community Hospital where he died at 10:23 a.m.

Police have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.