Visitor Dies After Rescue From Waters Off Kalapakī Bay
A 67 year old visitor from Rhode Island was pulled from the waters off Kalapakī Bay on November 21, 2025 and later pronounced dead at Wilcox Medical Center, following resuscitation attempts by Kaua‘i Fire Department and the U.S. Coast Guard. The death highlights beach safety concerns for residents and visitors and the importance of rapid emergency response along Kauai shorelines.
Emergency personnel responded to a water rescue at Kalapakī Bay near Līhu‘e on November 21, 2025 after reports of an unresponsive swimmer. First responders arrived on scene at approximately 12:30 p.m., and personnel from the Kaua‘i Fire Department and the U.S. Coast Guard assisted in bringing the individual to shore and performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Medics transported the man to Wilcox Medical Center where continued life saving efforts were made, but he was later pronounced dead. Authorities have identified the victim as 67 year old Liming Xu of Rhode Island. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death, and investigators do not suspect foul play.
The incident underscores ongoing public safety challenges at Kauai beaches where local residents and visitors share the same ocean conditions. Kalapakī Bay is accessed frequently by people staying in Līhu‘e and by day travelers arriving from other islands and the mainland. A medical emergency beginning in the water can rapidly overwhelm local resources, and timely coordination between the fire department, coast guard, and medical transport is critical to any chance of survival.
For Kauai County officials the case highlights how seasonal visitor levels and peak daytime activity can increase demand for emergency services. The involvement of the U.S. Coast Guard in the rescue points to the need for multiagency readiness for water incidents that occur near popular shorelines. County health and safety planners monitor such events when assessing training, equipment and staffing for both shoreline patrols and hospital emergency departments.
Beyond immediate rescue response, residents may consider the broader implications for community preparedness. Families and local businesses that cater to visitors have a stake in ensuring clear safety information is available at beaches and that emergency contact procedures are well publicized. Wilcox Medical Center continues to serve as the primary acute care facility for the island and will coordinate with county officials as the autopsy and any follow up investigation proceed.
Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances leading to the man becoming unresponsive in the water. The county and state agencies will await autopsy results to clarify cause of death and determine whether any further actions are warranted for public safety measures.
