A 26-year-old man from Kailua-Kona died Saturday afternoon after jumping from the rocky cliffs at Lekeleke Bay, a popular but hazardous spot in Keauhou known locally as the End of the World.
Mathen Jackson was eating food with a friend at the scenic bay when he decided to leap into the ocean below. He quickly became distressed in the strong currents and surging waves near the lava rock shoreline. A witness called 911 at approximately 5:13 p.m. as the friend and a passerby entered the water to assist the struggling swimmer.
The bystander, identified as Ian Kowalczyk, a former firefighter and Navy corpsman, worked together with Jackson’s friend to reach him in the choppy waters. They managed to bring him to a nearby tour boat that had responded to the distress call, where CPR was immediately started and an automated external defibrillator was used.
A photograph captured at the scene shows Kowalczyk and Jackson’s friend holding the struggling swimmer near the cliff, seconds before a massive wave swept him back out to sea. Kowalczyk later told Hawaii News Now that he tried to coach Jackson through the distress and urged him to float on his back. However, Jackson quickly started taking on water and breathing it in.
“I just jumped in, and I started praying, and I was like ‘Jesus please, if you can help me, just please help me rescue this man,'” Kowalczyk told the outlet. He described the rescue as being harder than he anticipated and said he felt “defeated” when the wave pulled Jackson back into the ocean.
The boat transported Jackson to Keauhou Pier, where Hawaii Fire Department personnel took over life-saving efforts and rushed him by ambulance to Kona Community Hospital. He arrived in critical condition but was pronounced dead at 6:36 p.m. No foul play is suspected in the incident.
Kowalczyk, devastated that he was unable to save Jackson, expressed his condolences to the family. “I just wanted to let his family know I’m really sorry, I tried as hard as I could, and I’m sorry I couldn’t save him,” he said.
Mathen Jackson was remembered by those who knew him as a vibrant young man from Kailua-Kona who enjoyed the natural beauty of the Big Island’s west side. Friends and relatives have paid tribute to him on social media. One relative wrote, “You’ll be missed Baba Mathen. Can’t believe you left us”.
The leap from the cliffs at Lekeleke Bay was intended as a spontaneous thrill during an otherwise casual afternoon meal with his friend. The strong currents and rough surf at the base of the End of the World cliffs have claimed lives before, and local residents have long warned visitors about the hidden dangers of the popular but unforgiving location.
Hawaii Island police responded to the swimmer-in-distress call at Lekeleke Bay and have opened a coroner’s inquest investigation into Mathen Jackson’s death. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause, though preliminary reports point to drowning after he became caught in the surging waters off the End of the World cliffs.
The Keauhou and Kailua-Kona communities on the Big Island have been left saddened by the death. Friends and locals have shared tributes emphasizing the need for caution when visiting the scenic but treacherous jumping spot, where powerful currents can quickly overwhelm even strong swimmers. The tragedy has renewed calls for safety awareness at the popular Keauhou location, especially among visitors drawn to the dramatic cliffs overlooking the ocean.
Hawaii Island police urge anyone with additional information about the events at Lekeleke Bay in Keauhou on April 11, 2026, to contact authorities. The investigation into Mathen Jackson’s death remains active as officials work to provide a complete picture of the circumstances surrounding the jump from the End of the World cliffs. Anyone with information is asked to contact Kona Patrol Acting Sergeant Reuben Pukahi at (808) 326-4646, ext. 253.