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Coloradan Among 3 Dead In Kauai Waters

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Oct 13, 2008 1:08 pm US/Mountain

Coloradan Among 3 Dead In Kauai Waters

PRINCEVILLE, Hawaii (AP) ―

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Two sisters-in-law who were walking along a rocky Kauai shoreline apparently drowned when a large wave struck the women and pulled them out to sea.

In a separate, earlier incident Sunday, a 74-year-old Japanese man apparently drowned while snorkeling at a beach in Kapaa.

Heather Westphal, 33, of Washington, D.C., and Tonya Cataldo, 38, of Parker, Colo., were strolling along Queen's Bath in Princeville when a large wave knocked Westphal off her feet and onto the rocks, according to Clayton Arinaga, assistant Kauai police chief for patrol services.

Cataldo tried to help her up, but a second large wave swept both women into the water, Arinaga said. Westphal's husband, Jason, swam to rescue them, but the current was too difficult and he returned to shore.

Lifeguards stationed about three-quarters of a mile away were alerted and arrived soon after on jet skis, but they and firefighters were unable to resuscitate the women, Arinaga added.

The National Weather Service early Sunday morning had issued a high surf advisory for north-facing beaches in Hawaii, including Kauai, where the women were. The advisory, which was forecast to expire Tuesday evening, prompted lifeguards to warn people away from the water. The waves were expected to reach as high as 18 feet on Kauai.

"This weekend, we had large surf hitting the north side of the island," Arinaga said. "If you're not familiar with wave action at all, this would be a problem."

About 30 minutes earlier on Sunday and about 20 miles away, a body surfer found Hiroaki Kinjo of Saitama Ken, Japan, in the water, said Arinaga, who didn't know the man's hometown. Kinjo did not respond to attempts to revive him.

Autopsies to determine the exact cause of death were to be performed by Tuesday.