The decomposing body of an unidentified man was found washed ashore on a tiny islet in Ke'ehi Lagoon yesterday afternoon.

The body was discovered by a person riding a jet-powered watercraft near Harris Island, one of several islets between Honolulu International Airport's reef runway and Sand Island. Police were notified shortly before 3:30 p.m. and the body was recovered by a Honolulu fire-rescue team about 5 p.m.

Detective Gary Lahens said the man appeared to be of Asian or Caucasian ancestry and in his late 30s. He said the man was about 5 feet 10 and 150 pounds.

Lahens said the case has been classified as an unattended death pending the outcome of an autopsy, but foul play was not ruled out. He said the city medical examiner will have the task of identifying a badly decomposed body that had no clothing or any kind of identification.

"The body apparently has been in the water for a while, so it's nothing that just occurred today," Lahens said.

Because of strong winds and currents, Lahens was not sure how or where the man got into the water.

A man who frequents the Sand Island area said he was at Harris Island earlier yesterday but did not see a body.

Lahens said police also will try to match the dead man's description with people who have been reported missing.

"But it's a mystery right now," Lahens said.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.