Hawaii

77-year-old woman dies in Hawaii marking third Californian death in June

Published

1 year ago

June 25, 2023

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77-year-old woman dies in Hawaii marking third Californian death in June

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Google image of Poipu Beach.

POIPU, Kauai – A 77-year-old woman from California died after being pulled from the water at Po‘ipū Beach Park Monday. She is the third visitor from California to die in Hawaii this month.

Judith Bailey, was snorkeling in the lagoon around 11:35 a.m. when she was spotted in distress, according to Kaua’i police.

Bailey was pulled out of the water by beach staff and Kōloa firefighters arrived about 5 minutes later. She was “conscious and alert” before American Medical Response took her to the hospital where she later died.

Autopsy results are pending, police said.

Officials did not give Bailey’s hometown in California, but said volunteers and grief counselors were assisting the family during the tragedy.

“We are saddened to report this death of another visitor,” said Kaua’i Police Investigative Services Bureau Acting Captain Kennison Nagahisa. “We remind the public to be aware of your surroundings and your abilities in the water.”

Another water-related death happened June 9 on Kauai’s North Shore.

Lucas Ivor, 37, also from California, died while swimming off Tunnels Beach, authorities said.

ALSO: San Jose newlywed dies after snorkeling accident in Hawaii

Ivor was visiting with his family at the time of the accident. Police said he was swimming around 5:15 pm and was found face down in the water. Someone on the beach had seen Ivor waving for help and swam out to him, but he was unresponsive by the time they got to him.

Bystanders pulled Ivor to shore and performed CPR until medics took over. He was taken to the hospital where he died.

“This is a tragic event, and the department sends condolences to the entire family,” said Kaua’i Police Investigative Services Bureau Acting Assistant Chief Kennison Nagahisa. “We would like to thank the courageous men and women who assisted with lifesaving efforts.”

And in a third tragedy, a San Jose man who was honeymooning with his wife died in a snorkeling accident June 1 in Honolulu.

Steven Phan, 47, was pulled out of the water at Electric Beach in Nānākuli.

“We are all shocked, in disbelief, and heartbroken at the loss of such a great man as Steven,” friends wrote in a Gofundme in Phan’s name. “Steven always found a way to be a part of everyone’s lives, no matter the distance. Steven was a true friend and an amazing husband, Steven will be incredibly missed by all.”

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Hawaii

Golf tourney to benefit Hawaii Island Humane Society – West Hawaii Today

Published

3 hours ago

July 3, 2024

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The Hawaii Island Humane Society is hosting a charity golf tournament fundraiser on Saturday for its facility and programs.

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Hawaii

Group of Hawaii wildland firefighters in Washington state to help battle large wildfire

Published

10 hours ago

July 2, 2024

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Group of Hawaii wildland firefighters in Washington state to help battle large wildfire

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A group of wildland firefighters from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is in Washington State to help battle a large wildfire burning in the remote wilderness.

Nearly 5,000 acres in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest have burned in the Pioneer Fire. At last check, the fire was 7% contained.

With Tuesday marking National Wildland Firefighter Day, the National Park Service is putting out a call to hire more wildland firefighters.

Park officials said it’s a career that will take firefighters to national parks across the country.

Those who are interested can click here for more details.

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Hawaii

Christian clubs win legal victory in Hawaii – The Lion

Published

17 hours ago

July 2, 2024

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Christian clubs win legal victory in Hawaii – The Lion

After-school Christian clubs won a legal victory in Hawaii after alleging suing over discrimination by public school officials.

A Hawaii district court granted Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) of Hawaii a preliminary injunction on Thursday.

CEF filed its initial lawsuit in January, claiming the state education department and local public school leaders were discriminating against CEF’s Good News Clubs.

The clubs are part of an interdenominational program for 5- to 12-year-olds and boast nearly 85,000 clubs worldwide, including 6,200 in the U.S.

According to CEF’s complaint, Good News Clubs were denied access to public school facilities because of their religious nature and, in some instances, made to pay rental fees not required of nonreligious groups.

“Defendants’ policies of unequal access, pretextual denials, and hostility to CEF’s religious message violate the Constitution and have denied some Hawaii elementary school students access to free, positive, and character-building Good News Clubs that enrich countless students’ lives in other Hawaii schools and throughout the country,” the lawsuit read.

The Hawaii court granted an injunction in favor of the Christian clubs, directing the state to provide CEF “equal access” to school facilities that are “made available to other similarly situated nonprofit organizations” such as Boy Scouts or Girls on the Run.

“This is a great victory for Child Evangelism Fellowship, parents, and the students in Hawaii public schools,” said Mat Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, which is representing the plaintiffs. “The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that public schools cannot discriminate against Christian viewpoints regarding use of school facilities.

“Child Evangelism Fellowship gives children a safe space that offers moral and character development from a Christian viewpoint. Good News Clubs should be in every public elementary school.”

Staver also noted in January that CEF has never lost a lawsuit for equal access.

Even so, the group continues to face discrimination from public schools.

Last year, CEF sued a Rhode Island district for equal access to school property and won. Other clubs – such as the Fellowship for Christian Athletes – have also had to fight for their rights to meet on campus.

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