Hawaii

Third Hawaii tourist in a week dies after being swept out to sea at Kauai beach

Published

2 months ago

October 23, 2024

Third Hawaii tourist in a week dies after being swept out to sea at Kauai beach

Another Hawaii tourist died after getting swept out to sea at a Kauai beach on Tuesday afternoon – it marks the third ocean-related tourist death in the past week.

At around 11:15 a.m., first responders were dispatched to Kauapea Beach on Kauai’s North Shore regarding an “unresponsive swimmer,” according to a release by the Kauai Police Department. The vacationer, a 62-year-old man from New York, had been pulled into the waters.

Bystanders first attempted CPR on the man before the Kauai Fire Department and Hanalei Fire Station took over using an automated external defibrillator and the Lucas device. Fire personnel transported him to medics who tried “advanced resuscitation efforts,” the release said.

The man was then transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy to determine the exact cause of death is pending, but foul play is not suspected, according to the police department.

Hawaii’s beaches are disappearing: The uncertain future of Oahu’s iconic Waikiki

“Kauapea Beach is not a lifeguarded beach and the public is urged to use caution if getting in the water,” the release said. “However, officials strongly recommended only swimming at beaches that have lifeguards.”

Last Tuesday, as Oahu’s North Shore was experiencing its trademark powerful surf with waves predicted up to 18 feet, three people were swept out to sea at Keiki Beach, another non-lifeguarded beach. Visiting with his wife, Bryan Kunic, 63, from California was sitting on the beach when a huge wave broke and pulled him into the water, according to a GoFundMe set up for Kunic’s wife.

Two women visiting from Oklahoma, Laura Sue Jett, 72, and her daughter Laura Rich, 31, were also pulled out to sea at that time. Both were taken to the hospital, with Jett in critical condition and Rich in serious condition. Jett died on Monday evening. A GoFundMe was created for the women to help their families with the expenses from the incident.

Are the beaches in Hawaii safe?

Although beautiful, the beaches in Hawaii can be unpredictable, with currents, tides and swells always changing. A beach that seems calm may have a rip current, or the swell could quickly build without you realizing it. Visitors can enjoy the beach as long as they heed warnings and know their limits.

Between 2008 and 2017, there were 682 total ocean drownings, with 55% being tourists, according to the Drowning and Aquatic Injury Prevention Advisory Committee, which is made up of organizations like the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, Department of Health and fire departments.

If unfamiliar with Hawaii’s waters, visitors are advised to go to beaches with a lifeguard tower. These skilled watermen and women can also advise you about the day’s conditions before you enter the water.

Beachgoers should also pay attention to posted beach warning signs, which lifeguards set up to warn of hazardous conditions like strong currents or sudden drop-offs.

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Hawaii

Pacific Century Fellows focus on strengthening Hawaii-Philippines relationship with special visit

Published

7 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

Pacific Century Fellows focus on strengthening Hawaii-Philippines relationship with special visit

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Members of a prestigious leadership training program from Hawaii recently traveled to the Philippines on a special visit.

Former Honolulu Mayor and current President/CEO of the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association Mufi Hannemann founded the Pacific Century Fellows Program (PCF) in 1996, modeled after the White House Fellows program to empower emerging leaders across the state to solve local challenges.

Last month, this year’s cohort of 30 business and community leaders. along with some PCF alumni, met with Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who lived in Hawaii for 5 years, when his father, former President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr., was ousted following a nonviolent revolution in 1986 and exiled here.

Marcos Sr. died in Honolulu in 1989, and the family was allowed to return to the Philippines in 1991 and rebuilt their political careers.

The fellows met with various Filipino leaders and discussed ways to boost business opportunities and tourism for both destinations, including more flights to Ilocos Norte, where many Filipinos in Hawaii have roots.

The group visited Ilocos Norte at the invitation of Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc and learned about Hawaii’s strong historic ties to the region.

For more information, visit pacificcenturyfellows.com.

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Hawaii

From scratch to real estate: The Indian family that built an empire in Hawaii

Published

15 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

From scratch to real estate: The Indian family that built an empire in Hawaii

In 1915, Jhamandas Watumull, a 29-year-old Indian entrepreneur, arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii, to establish a retail shop for his import business. Along with his partner Dharamdas, he registered the business under the name Watumull & Dharamdas on Hotel Street. The store specialised in selling exotic Eastern goods, including silks, brassware, ivory crafts, and other unique items.

Gulab Watumull’s father, Jhamandas, began the family business in Honolulu in 1915.(Flickr)

Tragedy struck in 1916 when Dharamdas succumbed to cholera. This prompted Jhamandas to invite his brother Gobindram to manage the Honolulu store while he oversaw business operations in Manila. Over the years, the brothers travelled frequently between India and Hawaii, strengthening their enterprise, reported the BBC.

The growth of the Watumull Business

The Watumull brothers renamed the business East India Store after Gobindram took charge in Hawaii. The company grew into a department store with branches across Hawaii and parts of Asia. In 1937, Gobindram constructed the Watumull Building in Waikiki to serve as the company headquarters. By 1957, the business had expanded into a multimillion-dollar empire with 10 stores, apartments, and various commercial properties.

The East India Store played a significant role in popularising the iconic “Aloha shirt.” In 1936, Gobindram’s sister-in-law Elsie Jensen created designs featuring Hawaiian motifs like hibiscus flowers, tropical fish, and gardenias. These designs were handblocked onto silk in Japan and became commercially successful. The shirts were embraced by tourists and even Hollywood stars like Loretta Young and Lana Turner.

A shift toward real estate

As Hawaii became a global tourist destination, the Watumulls diversified their business. They purchased the Royal Hawaiian Manufacturing Company and introduced matching family Aloha wear. Over time, the company transitioned into real estate, with its last retail store closing in 2020. In 2023, Watumull Properties acquired a major marketplace spanning over 205,000 square feet.

The Watumull brothers faced significant challenges due to restrictive U.S. immigration laws. Gobindram’s wife, Ellen Jensen, lost her citizenship under the Cable Act after marrying him in 1922. She later regained it in 1931 after advocating for legal reforms. Gobindram became a U.S. citizen in 1946 following a change in naturalisation laws for Indians. Jhamandas obtained citizenship in 1961 after permanently relocating to Hawaii.

The Watumull family contributed significantly to education, arts, and Indian independence. Gobindram supported India’s freedom movement and hosted prominent leaders in his Los Angeles home. The family’s foundation sponsored lectures by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan in the U.S. and facilitated the creation of India’s first birth control clinics. They also funded numerous educational and cultural programs in Hawaii and India.

The Watumull family remains deeply rooted in Hawaii, where their name is synonymous with philanthropy and progress. JD Watumull, the current president of the family’s company, emphasised their commitment to the Hawaiian Islands, stating, “The Hawaiian Islands continue to be our family’s focus today and in the future.”

Also read: Chhattisgarh couple marries by taking an oath on Indian constitution instead of saat pheras: report

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Hawaii

SafeRide Hawaii offering an alternative for impaired driving

Published

23 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

SafeRide Hawaii offering an alternative for impaired driving

HONOLULU (KHON2) — With the holidays here, drinking and driving is on the rise. SafeRide Hawaii is offering services to help impaired drivers. If you find yourself intoxicated but are worried about leaving your car behind, SafeRide Hawaii will send a driver to take you and your car home safely, while a chase driver follows […]

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