Body Found on West End Beach

A 44-year-old man was found on Papohaku Beach last Wednesday morning, Dec. 30. Pending results of an autopsy, cause of death has not been determined.

Rupert Manalili was found in the early morning by two young men who were visiting the island. Molokai Police Detective Eugene Santiago, who is in charge of the investigation, said the men pulled him out of the water and called the authorities. When the first responders arrived, he was declared dead.

Det. Santiago said they don’t know much about Manalili, who was of Filipino descent, but said he had recently moved to Molokai by himself and was looking for work. He had previously lived in several different locations on the mainland. His next of kin has been notified.

The death is still under investigation.