Overview

• On June 22, 59-year-old Stacy Coon of Oroville, California, struggled in currents about 40 yards offshore at Whittington Beach Park on Hawaii’s Big Island
• Bystanders entered the water to bring her ashore and performed CPR until first responders arrived, but Coon was later pronounced dead at Ka‘ū Hospital
• The Hawaii Police Department is treating the case as a potential drowning and has requested an autopsy to determine the precise cause of death
• Whittington Beach Park displays warning signs but has no on-duty lifeguards despite resident reports of multiple previous drownings
• Unseen currents have also claimed lives at other Hawaiian beaches, prompting calls for stronger safety infrastructure and improved visitor education