NEAH BAY — A memorial service will be planned on Hobuck Beach after a founder of the Washington chapter of the nonprofit Heroes on the Water died there, said Roland Abiva’s friend and a co-founder of the organization.
Abiva, 39, who lived in Graham in Pierce County, was pronounced dead at the Sophie Trettevick PHS Indian Health Center in Neah Bay on the Makah reservation Thursday, according to Clallam County Sheriff’s Chief Criminal Deputy Brian King.
Dino Abulencia, coordinator of the Northwest chapter of Heroes on the Water based in Tacoma, said he, Abiva and two others started the Washington chapter of Heroes on the Water, which provides kayak fishing trips to wounded warriors and veterans, in 2012.
The cause of Abiva’s death is awaiting determination by the Clallam County Coroner’s Office, which is also the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Prosecuting Attorney Mark Nichols said a determination is expected sometime this week.
Differing accounts have been given about how Abiva died.
Deputies’ preliminary investigation found that Abiva was knocked out of his 13-foot kayak when it capsized just after he had launched it from Hobuck Beach, King said.
Investigators said Abiva was face-down in the surf when bystanders pulled him out and performed CPR until the arrival of Makah medics, who were called along with law enforcement at about 10:13 a.m.
Abulencia said in an email that Abiva, an experienced kayaker, “collapsed near the shore due to health complications.”
Abiva was preparing to launch from shore when his kayak flipped, Abulencia said. Abiva was not in the kayak, he said.
“He was standing and requesting assistance to help retrieve his kayak and gear when he collapsed,” Abulencia said.
Abiva “was standing in the water collecting his gear as others were helping him when he collapsed as a wave hit him from behind,” said his friend.
“He was quickly pulled to shore by friends on shore,” who performed CPR.
“It was less than 10 seconds for him to be reached and pulled from the water,” he added.
“He had a medical condition but we are still awaiting whether or not an autopsy will be performed.”
Abiva “had been sick for a long time, but he would not let it slow him down,” Abulencia said.
Abulencia said he and five other Heroes on the Water volunteers had launched an hour earlier to take three veterans out fishing during the opening day of halibut season in Neah Bay.
“Roland was not scheduled to volunteer with our vets that day and was feeling a bit tired and decided to rest on shore to fish with some friends later,” Abulencia said.
Abulencia did not say what medical condition Abiva had.
Investigators determined Abiva was wearing a type III personal flotation device, which is a type of life jacket, and a dry suit, King said.
Abiva had a 17-year-old son, Abulencia said. He was not married. He was Abulencia’s cousin.
“Roland is very much loved by our kayak angling community and by all who knew him,” Abulencia said.
“He was a very kind and generous man.
“He loved the water, and he loved helping our local veterans and military servicemen — and he especially loved being at Hobuck, not just for the fishing but for the serenity and the friends he made there.”
A memorial will be held at the beach, Abulencia said. No date has been set.
Heroes on the Water was founded in 2007 by Jim Dolan of Dallas to provide kayak fishing trips to wounded warriors and veterans.
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Managing Editor/News Leah Leach can be reached at 360-417-3531 or at leah.leach@peninsuladailynews.com.
