Tourist Dies After Horror Kitesurfing Accident at Popular Beach

A California man has died following a kitesurfing accident at Kailua Beach on Oahu, according to Honolulu Emergency Services. His death was one of two major ocean rescues at the same location on Wednesday.

Honolulu Ocean Safety received a 9-1-1 call at 11:33 a.m. for an unresponsive 63-year-old man. Lifeguards pulled him from the water and immediately began CPR, also using an automated external defibrillator before paramedics and firefighters arrived to provide advanced life support. He was rushed to the hospital in critical condition but passed away two days later on Friday. His identity has not been released, and the cause of the accident remains unclear.

Earlier that morning, another emergency call came in for a separate incident involving a man in his 60s found unresponsive in the water. Bystanders noticed he wasn’t breathing and began CPR before Ocean Safety responders arrived within minutes. The man, a known kitesurfer in the area, was wearing a life vest when he went into cardiac arrest. First responders continued lifesaving efforts with an automated defibrillator and were able to restore his pulse before transporting him to the hospital.

Both incidents happened at a well-known spot along Kailua Beach called “Flagpoles,” where lifeguards stationed nearby responded on jet skis.

Hawaii’s waters, while beautiful, can be unpredictable and dangerous—even for experienced ocean enthusiasts. According to the 2025 Hawaii Water Safety Plan, the state has the second-highest drowning rate in the U.S. behind Alaska. Tourists, who make up only 12% of the state’s population, account for half of all drownings, making it the leading cause of visitor deaths.

Local officials warn that visitors often take unnecessary risks, such as swimming in unguarded waters, cliff jumping, or going into the ocean at night. Honolulu Ocean Safety has emphasized the need for more lifeguard towers and increased education on ocean safety to help prevent future tragedies.