KAILUA-KONA — Rescue crews recovered a body 1.5 miles offshore of Old Kona Airport Park early Monday.
The Hawaii Police Department identified the suspected drowning victim as 51-year-old Richard Reikowski, a visitor from South Carolina.
According to the Hawaii Fire Department, Reikowski was last seen by his wife at about 2:30 p.m. Sunday when he walked north up the beach to go snorkeling. No one saw where he entered the water. At about 5:30 p.m., his wife called 911 after hours of unsuccessful searching.
According to the fire department, rescue crews searched until dark and called for a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter based on Oahu to assist. The search was called off at about 7:15 p.m. with the intention to resume the search at first light Monday.
However, fire officials say, the crew on the Coast Guard helicopter continued to search through the night.
At 1:38 a.m., the Coast Guard notified the fire department that they had located a body 1.5 miles offshore of Old Kona Airport Park in North Kona. The crew dropped beacons to mark the body’s location.
A rescue boat was launched and the victim, later identified as Reikowski, was pulled out of the water at 2:55 a.m. He was then taken to Honokohau Harbor, where his body was turned over to Hawaii Police Department.
At 7:45 a.m. Monday, officers contacted a family member, who positively identified Reikowski at the Kona Community Hospital.
Hawaii Police Department Area II Maj. Robert Wagner said presently there are no signs of foul play.
Police are conducting an autopsy to determine the man’s exact cause of death. Wagner said one of those possibilities include drowning.
Anyone with any information should call Sgt. Mekia Rose at 326-4646, ext.253, or the department’s nonemergency number at 935-3311.
