MEDIA RELEASE

Police have initiated a coroner’s inquest case in connection with the death of a diver Thursday (Dec. 12), in waters off Kona.

At 7:12 p.m., Fire Department personnel responded to Honokōhau Harbor for a report of an unresponsive man who was diving off the Kona Coast.

A 55-year-old man identified as James Uihlein of Fallbrook, Calif. had been scuba diving off a commercial dive boat when he became unresponsive.

After returning to shore, Fire Department rescue personnel took him to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:27 p.m.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

UPDATED (1/17/2014 at 10:13 PM)

An autopsy conducted in connection with the December 12 death of a scuba diver in waters off Kona has determined that 55-year-old James Uihlein of Fallbrook, California, died from a medical condition.