Hawai‘i Island police detectives continue to actively investigate the circumstances surrounding the February 18, 2024, death of a 29-year-old Kea’au woman, identified as Kala’iokealaula Ashley Nicole Reyes Kanekoa.

There has recently been an influx of information being spread on various social media sites that police have closed this investigation following the forensic pathologist’s ruling that Kanekoa died as a result of an accidental drowning. Although that was the pathologist’s ruling, this investigation remains open, and police detectives are investigating what occurred leading up to Kanekoa going over the sea cliff and ultimately drowning.    

Police have interviewed numerous witnesses and residents in the area where this incident occurred; however, continue to request that anyone who may not have been contacted by police and witnessed this incident, or may have video surveillance or information relative to this case, to call Detective Paul Mangus of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2383 or email paul.mangus@hawaiicounty.gov, or the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.