Mo`omomi claims opihi picker

A 38-year-old Molokai man died last Thursday in Mo`omomi, on Molokai’s north shore.

Christopher Ka`awa of Mo`omomi, was in the company of others, picking opihi at Anahaki Cliffs, east of Mo`omomi. Ka`awa was struck by a large wave and swept out into the open sea at 10:20 a.m. About an hour later, a Molokai fire search-and-rescue crew located the man’s body floating face down about 30 yards offshore, police said.

Ka`awa was pronounced dead at 12:32 p.m. at Molokai General Hospital. He sustained facial contusions, and abrasions to the arms and legs.

The official cause of death is pending the results of an autopsy.