A Hawaiian teen was found dead in an alleged drowning accident after he disappeared while freediving at a popular diving spot with his friend.

Joven Young, 18, went diving near Hawaii’s historic suburb of Captain Cook, located in South Kona on the western coast of the island, on Tuesday when his friend lost sight of him.

The two teens were diving off Pebble Beach, which is about a one-hour drive from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii police said.

The friend alerted a nearby boat, which then radioed the US Coast Guard for help.

Kona Patrol said officers responded to the report at around 1.00pm and launched a multi-agency search for the teen.

Hawai‘i Fire Department search and rescue personnel located Young in the water after almost three hours.

Young was then transported to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6.10pm, the police said.

Officers added that they do not suspect foul play and have initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation. Authorities have also requested an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Joven Young went for diving to Captain Cook with his friend on Tuesday. His friend lost sight of him and alerted a nearby boat for help

Kona Patrol launched a multi-agency search for the teen and found Young after three hours. He was pronounced dead after he was taken to a local hospital

Young was in ninth grade when he moved to Kona from Oahu, Keri Blas, mother of Young’s girlfriend Kalei Blas, told Hawaii News Now.

He had studied at the Konawaena High School, where he played basketball for four years.

Blas said that the teen loved diving and fishing. He enjoyed surfing and exploring secret waterfalls.

She added that Young dedicated his life to Jesus during his senior year and was ‘preparing to join the Coast Guard in January.’

‘They both lived a Christ-like life and planned on spending their lives together after Kalei finishes nursing school and he with the Coast Guard,’ Blas said. ‘He will be missed by so many.’

Matthew Clark, Young’s former basketball teammate, told the outlet that the teen was one of his first friends he made when he moved to Hawaii Island.

‘He had a funny way of showing it, but he genuinely had a big love for me and our other friends on the basketball team on and off the court,’ Clark said.

He added that Young was the team’s best three-point shooter and was very popular. He said Young loved ‘God, his family, his girlfriend, and his teammates.’

Clark added his friend ‘passed doing the things he truly loved.’

Young loved diving and fishing. He enjoyed surfing and exploring secret waterfalls. Keri Blas, mother of Young’s girlfriend, said he was preparing to join the Coast Guard in January

Young’s coach Donald Awa told the outlet: ‘He was just a good kid, didn’t deserve this, but just a terrible accident.’

Blas set up an online fundraising page to support Young’s family. They have raised $20,379 so far.

Young is survived by his parents Tracy and Jason Young, sister Makenna and brother Jordy, along with his girlfriend of four years.

Freedivers, like Young, move more freely underwater as compared to scuba divers. 

They dive without tanks which helps them move quickly and keep up with fast-moving sea creatures. They hold their breath, which helps them keep any bubbles that scare off marine life. 

Scuba divers have an advantage over freedivers as they can stay longer underwater to observe marine life.