According to a goFundme Page and several social media posts from friends, big wave rescue expert Kolomona Fernandez underwent emergency heart surgery to repair a ruptured aorta, the largest artery in the human body. Fernandez was doing water safety on Maui for Ian Walsh’s inspiring event, the Menehune Mayhem surf contest for kids, when he suddenly experienced difficulty breathing and even amnesia.
“This guy has pulled my ass and many many others out of trouble at Jaws,” wrote big wave surfer Jamie Mitchell in an Instagram post to support his friend. “Now is the time to return the favor.”
Fernandez, who drives jetski and has been on some of the heaviest days at Jaws, underwent 12 hours of surgery and was put into a medically-induced coma. “Stoked you guys are there for those moments,” Shane Dorian commented on one of Fernandez’s Jaws posts that showed him nearly getting caught by a set wave on the ski. “You been there in the trenches when shit gets real for all of us.”
Several big wave surfers have posted Fernandez’s goFundme page, hoping to help the man who’s helped them in heavy situations. “My friend Kolomona is a truly selfless individual who has given his time and put himself at personal risk to help so many others,” wrote Mark Healey. “I know it can be overwhelming seeing so many requests for monetary help online these days, but I can personally vouch for the integrity and aloha of this man and his immediate need for financial support following his critical and life-saving heart operation.”
Fernandez is currently recovering on Maui.