An 18-year-old man from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, has died after disappearing underwater during a freediving expedition off Captain Cook, prompting a search involving multiple emergency response agencies.
The teenager, identified as Joven Young, was diving with a friend near Pebble Beach, at the end of Kaohe Road, when his companion lost sight of him, according to Hawaii police.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. After failing to locate Young, his friend sought help from a nearby boat, whose occupants contacted the U.S. Coast Guard to report the emergency.
Kona patrol officers arrived at approximately 1 p.m. and coordinated a search involving several agencies.
Personnel from the Hawaii Fire Department’s search-and-rescue team eventually located Young underwater at around 3:46 p.m. He was transported to Kona Community Hospital, where medical staff pronounced him dead at 6:10 p.m.
Police have initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and ordered an autopsy to establish the circumstances surrounding his death. Investigators have indicated that foul play is not suspected.
Family and Friends Remember Young
Young’s death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from relatives, friends and former basketball teammates, who remembered him as a young man devoted to his faith, family, sport and future ambitions.
Keri Blas, the mother of Young’s girlfriend, told Hawaii News Now that he moved from Oahu to Kona while in ninth grade before attending Konawaena High School, where he played basketball throughout all four years.
Outside the basketball court, Young enjoyed outdoor activities, including diving, fishing and surfing. He also loved “exploring secret waterfalls,” Blas said.
She revealed that Young had undergone a significant spiritual transformation during his final year of high school and was preparing for a new chapter in his life.
His senior year, she said, “he dedicated his life to Jesus and was planning on leaving to the Coast Guard in January.”
Young is survived by his parents, Tracy and Jason Young, his sister Makenna, his brother Jordy and his girlfriend, Kalei Blas. The couple had been together since their freshman year of high school.
According to Keri Blas, the young couple had hoped to build a future together after completing their respective plans, with Kalei pursuing nursing and Young preparing to join the Coast Guard.
“They both lived a Christ-like life and planned on spending their lives together after Kalei finishes nursing school and he with the Coast Guard,” Blas said in the statement. “He will be missed by so many.”
Former Teammates Pay Tribute
Matthew Clark, a friend and former basketball teammate, also remembered Young as one of the first people to befriend him after he moved to Hawaii Island.
In a message to Hawaii News Now, Clark described Young as someone whose affection for his friends was evident despite his distinctive personality.
“He had a funny way of showing it, but he genuinely had a big love for me and our other friends on the basketball team on and off the court,” Clark wrote.
Clark also praised Young’s basketball ability, describing him as the team’s leading three-point shooter and noting that his reputation for shooting extended beyond the school.
He said Young deeply valued his faith, family, romantic relationship and friendships.
Clark described those priorities, saying he loved “God, his family, his girlfriend, and his teammates.”
Reflecting on the circumstances of his friend’s death, Clark added: “He passed doing the things he truly loved,” Clark wrote.
Donald Awa, who coached Young throughout his four years at Konawaena High School, also expressed sadness over the loss.
Awa recalled that the team won a Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) championship last year, marking a significant achievement during Young’s time with the squad.
“He was just a good kid, didn’t deserve this, but just a terrible accident,” Awa said.
Fundraiser Launched to Support Family
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to help Young’s family following his death.
Meanwhile, authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident, with the ordered autopsy expected to provide further information about the cause of death.
Young’s passing has left his family, girlfriend, friends and former teammates mourning a young life cut short as he prepared to pursue his ambition of joining the U.S. Coast Guard.
