Spearfisherman dies in Hilo

A 77-year-old spearfisherman died Friday after being pulled from the water in Hilo.

At approximately 11:20 a.m. Friday, police responded to Coconut Island in Hilo for a reported spearfisherman in distress.

When police arrived, the man had already been removed from the ocean and was unresponsive.

The man was transported to Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

The Hawaii Police Department is continuing the investigation and has initiated an coroner’s inquest to determine the man’s exact cause of death.

The name of the man is not being released at this time.