A man drowned in waters off Kehena Beach in Kalapana this afternoon and five people who tried to help him were rescued.

Hawai'i County fire officials said the man, who appeared to be in his 50s, was swept out by high surf and strong currents. The National Weather Service had earlier issued a high-surf advisory for all east shores.

The victim was one of six people pulled from the water about 150 yards offshore with the help of two fire rescue helicopters shortly after 1 p.m. The other five people — four men and a woman — did not require medical attention, fire officials said.

The victim was determined to be dead at the scene.

Fire and emergency medical personnel set up a landing zone at Kalapana Seaview Estates and closed Highway 137 during the rescue and recovery effort.