KAILUA-KONA – Kona patrol officers have identified the man who died in a drowning incident at O-Tech Beach in Kailua-Kona on January 5, 2025, as 35-year-old Garret Khralovch Stanislav of Mayfield, Ohio.

Shortly after 5:30 p.m. on that day, officers responded to reports of a swimmer in distress at the beach. According to initial accounts, Stanislav and two other men were near the bathrooms at O-Tech Beach when he fell into the water. The large waves made it difficult for him to return to shore.

The two men with Stanislav attempted to assist him in getting back to land, but he was unable to swim back. Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel arrived at the scene and began a search, eventually locating Stanislav, who showed no signs of life. He was brought to Honokōhau Harbor by boat and transported to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

The police have opened a coroner’s inquest investigation into the incident, and autopsy results are awaited to determine the exact cause of death.

Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact Kona Patrol Officer Sarha Reich at the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311 or via email at Sarha.Reich@hawaiicounty.gov.