The Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed a Big Island man was one of two men who died of apparent fentanyl poisoning in connection with an incident this past weekend in a Waikiki hotel room.
According to a report by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, the victim was identified as 53-year-old Steven Berengue of Kailua-Kona.
The other man confirmed dead was identified as 44-year-old Joseph Iseke of Kailua, Oahu.
Emergency responders were called to the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort on Sunday morning and found five people. Iseke was pronounced dead at the scene, while Berengue and a 40-year-old man were taken to a hospital in critical condition. Berengue later died in the hospital.
Two women, 53 and 47, were hospitalized in serious condition.
The medical examiner said it could be months before an official cause of death is released, and Honolulu police have opened two unattended death investigations in connection with the incident.
Berengue was a veteran canoe paddler and paddling coach, and news of his death spread quickly via social media.
Tui Tonga Canoe Club posted on Facebook: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a former Tui Tonga Hawaii Coach Steven Berengue. He was a very important part of our club and always supported the kids. Rest in Love Steven! Condolences to the Berengue Ohana!”
A Kailua, Oahu, woman posted that Berengue is her nephew.
“Prayers for our family as we are all devastated. Please get educated on this epidemic of fentanyl. It only takes a few grains of sand like to kill you,” the woman posted.
Unconfirmed social media reports claim one of the two hospitalized women is Berengue’s wife.
Outrigger spokesperson Monica Salter said in a statement today, “The team at Outrigger is deeply saddened by the recent event that occurred at the resort, and our thoughts go out to all those who have been affected. The safety and well-being of our guests and hosts are our utmost priorities.
“Our dedicated resort team worked closely with law enforcement agencies to provide them with any assistance they required. As a responsible and caring establishment, we remain committed to maintaining the highest level of safety and security measures to ensure the well-being of our guests and hosts.”
Fentanyl is an opioid painkiller many times more powerful than heroin, and typically is prescribed to treat severe pain. It frequently appears as an illegal street drug mixed with other substances.
Experts say the growing prevalence of fentanyl in the illicit drug supply is a top driver of the increasing number of overdose deaths in the U.S.
It’s a growing concern across Hawaii. In May, the Hawaii Police Department became the first in the state to release fentanyl statistics.
The statistics showed that during the first four months of this year, HPD officers made 22 fentanyl arrests and recovered 383.02 grams of fentanyl and 598 fentanyl pills.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.