From The Garden Island:

A 41-year-old California man died Thursday afternoon while swimming in waters off Kapa‘a.

The man’s identity has not yet been released.

Police Dispatch received a call at around 2:50 p.m. to report a swimmer who appeared to be in distress in waters fronting a vacant lot next to the Plantation Hale Hotel.

Bystanders attempted to assist the man, according to county officials, before firefighters arrived at the scene.

Firefighters assisted in bringing the man’s unresponsive body to shore and began performing CPR. Read the full story.

And here’s the latest in other neighbor isle gov’t and politics:

Property tax adjustments, fee increases to pump up Kauai fund

Hanafuda workshop draws island-wide audience

Schatz: Less funding forecast for Hawaii

KNA to intervene in cottage permit request

Employee raises an unknown in Maui budget

Lanai will hear Ellison’s plans for Pineapple Isle

‘A`ole GMO’ on Molokai

Big Isle bus fares could be on rise again

Pahoa pool work is on schedule

Photo courtesy Alaskan Dude.

—Chad Blair