MOLOKAI, Hawaii — A 26-year-old paramedic died in a freediving accident Saturday.
Steven “Keku” Likua went diving with friends and was last seen 300 yards off shore around 3 p.m. When the other divers emerged, Likua did not, and after searching for him, his friends reported him missing.
Emergency responders from the Maui Fire Department and the Coast Guard conducted an extensive search until night with no results, The Molokai Dispatch reported.
The next day the search resumed, using helicopters, boats and ground crews, joined by friends, family members and local residents.
Dive crews found Likua’s body around 10:30 a.m. and the cause of death is pending autopsy.
Friends said Likua was a good diver and surfer. They remembered him for his kindness and infectious smile.
At 22, Likua became Maui County’s youngest paramedic, following his father, Lyle, who is a paramedic with 30 years of experience in EMS.
Likua loved his job. During an interview in 2012 he said, “I want to come to work every day. Find something you love to do and pursue that goal.”