Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-09-01
Sam KAUHANE, IN
ROLEOF HERO, IS
UNABLE TO SAVE
Hawaii Supervisor Makes Fu-
tile Effort to Save Tom Ka-
MALI from Watery Grave

Tsp cial Starr Bulletin Correspond noel
HlLO, Aug. 3l.-SuperVisor Sam
Kauhane proved himself a hero when
on Saturday last be risked his life
three times in an endeayor to rescue
Tom Kamalii from the raging surf
at Kaalualu. KaI. The well-known
supervisor dived three times into a
terrific surf. amid cruel rocks, in an
attempt to save the drowning man.
A fourth attempt, when kauhane was
utterly exhausted. was prevented by
Deputy Sheriff Henry Martin OF Hilo,
who pleaded with Kauhane not TO try
again, pointing out at the same time
that Kamalii must be dead, as he had
been under water so Icing. There is
talk here OF suggesting Kauhane as a
candidate fer Carnegie medal,
the general opinion being that he full
~ deserves the honor.
The drowning of Kamalii and the
brilliant attempt at rescue took place
last Saturday morning. Sam Kau-
hane, Henry Martin and Tom Kama
Iii were out after ophiis and Kau-
hane, who knew all the good spots
for the shellfish, led the party. Mel
Their Martin nor Kamalii could swim.
so Kauhane warned them of the dan
gerous places and several times told
Kamalii not to stand on a certain
ledge of rocks as the waves some
times washed over that particular
place. Kamalii did net heed the warn
ing much and when an extra large
wave swept over the ledge he was
washed into a channel that extends
between two long hedges of lava rock.
The unfortunate man was seen to drop
into the channel and in less than five
seconds his head appeared above the
surface at distance of about 80 feet
from where he first went under
The cry for help uttered by Kamalii
was heard by Martin and he shouted
to Kauhane. The latter ran up the
ledge of rock and dived at the spot
where Kamalii had risen to the sur
face. The supervisor stayed under
water for some time and then reap
peared further down the channel. He
climbed out of the water and at once
diyed again at another spot. His Sec
Ohu ClIOll was QlCO IluAIlCSo 90
appeared once more without having
seen any sign of the drowning man.
The waves were dashing over the
lodges and pouring into the channel,
which is 35 feet deep. at tremendous
rate. The channel was white with
foam and the water was flashing the
sides of the stream like whirlpool.
The deputy sheriff begged Kauhane,
who was showing signs of weakness.
not to risk his life again The latter
although covered with cuts and bruis-
es through being dashed against the
rocks refused to listen to Martin and
dived in again. He stayed under wa
ter so long this time that Martin be-
come thoroughly alarmed and thought
that Kauhane was also drowned. ~.
However, after long interval, Kau-
hane came to the surface once more.
He attempted to climb to the ledge,
but a big wave washed him back
again. Then. just as it seemed as II
Kauhane would certainly be drowned,
another wave larger than any that had
rolled over the ledge before came
along and lifted him on to a high
spot. He fell on his face, exhausted
and covered with cuts from the rag
ged edges of the rocks. Martin pick
ed him up and insisted that there was
no use in his throwing away his life
in another attempt to find Kamalii
Kauhane struggled with Martin and
declared that he would make one more
This was not allowed by
Martin
The drowned man, who was about
40 years of age, was an employe of
the Volcano Stables at their Waiohinu
branch, and was the sole support of
his wife and several children belong.
ing to dead brother. .~