Select an option below to continue reading this premium story.
Already a Honolulu Star-Advertiser subscriber? Log in now to continue reading.
The body of a missing kayaker was found Sunday morning on the Wailua River by Kauai firefighters, who had managed to rescue eight other kayakers Saturday evening in flash flood conditions.
The woman, a visitor to the island, had become separated from the kayak tour group at about 5 p.m. Saturday, during flash flooding near Uluwehi Falls, according to the Kauai Fire Department. Her name was being withheld Sunday while authorities notified her next
of kin.
After getting the distress call at 5 p.m. Saturday, firefighters used the Air 1 helicopter to head upriver and airlifted seven visitors and their guide Saturday to Wailua Homesteads. Those rescued were checked by first responders, and none had life-threatening injuries so they were released at the scene, according to the Fire Department.
Rescuers had to stop searching late Saturday night due to darkness and hazardous flood conditions. Firefighters resumed the search at 7:30 a.m. Sunday and soon found the woman’s body, a news release said.
The island had been under a flash flood watch Saturday. That was elevated to a flash flood warning at
4 p.m. that lasted until
7:43 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. On Sunday Kauai was under a flash flood watch for most of the day.