A massive wave struck the shores of Oahu, Hawaii on October 14, 2024, sweeping three tourists into the ocean and resulting in two fatalities. The incident occurred at Ke Iki Beach on the island’s North Shore, where the visitors were caught off guard by the unexpected surge.
Susie Jett, 72, from Oklahoma, and her daughter Laura Rich, 41, were enjoying the beach during their trip to Hawaii. While at the beach that day, a giant wave pulled them into the ocean along with a 63-year-old man from California, later identified as Brian Kunic.
“They’re in paradise, they’re on this beautiful Hawaiian beach. It is one of the most beautiful places on Earth and all of sudden, boom, within an instant, this giant wave came over and their loved one is gone,” said Jessica Lani Rich, the president of the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii
Rescue teams arrived within minutes of the call, but the situation had already turned dire by then. Lifeguards performed CPR and used an automated external defibrillator (AED) in a bid to save Kunic. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the local hospital.
Susie Jett was also rescued and taken to a local hospital, where she passed away. The other victim, Laura Rich, was rescued from the water after about 15 minutes and rushed to the hospital. She was awake and responsive but still required oxygen.
Lt. Kerry Atwood of the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department informed the media that waves in Oahu have a history of knocking people over and dragging them into the water. He noted that the beach where the incident occurred is among the most hazardous in Hawaii due to its dangerous breaks.
Following the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign was created to support the Jett family, which had collected $6,000. The campaign aims to offer the family as much compassion, love, and assistance as possible, covering needs such as lodging, meals, transportation, medical care, and other unforeseen expenses in the coming weeks and months.
Beach authorities emphasized the importance of heeding warnings, as red flags were raised on the day of the incident. They advise visitors to pay close attention to signage and listen to lifeguard warnings, especially during the peak of wave season, when swells can reach up to 10 feet. The state has been working to improve water safety awareness for visitors with increased signage and lifeguard staffing at high-risk beaches like Sandy Beach. The Hawaii Tourism Authority has also launched campaigns to educate tourists about beach safety, advising them to check local conditions before entering the water.
