Body of kayaker recovered near Wailua River

WAILUA — Firefighters and police recovered a body near Wailua River believed to be a female kayaker who was reported missing Thursday night.

The victim has not yet been identified. She is reported to be a visitor in her 50s.

An employee from a nearby kayak rental company went looking for the woman Thursday evening when she failed to return her rented kayak by the deadline at 5 p.m.

The company employee located a kayak and paddle up the river. There was no sign of the woman, however, and she was reported missing.

Police, firefighters and personnel from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources searched the area Friday morning. A female body was located at roughly 11:30 a.m. She was found floating in a stream roughly a quarter-mile past Uluwehi Falls — also known as Secret Falls.

Kauai Fire Department’s Rescue 3 personnel recovered the body early Friday afternoon while aboard Air 1. Police are investigating the incident, but foul play is not suspected in the cause of her death at this time.

An autopsy will be conducted early next week.

A spokesperson for Kayak Kauai, a company that was not involved with the incident, said that these unfortunate occurrences happen less often on the river than they do in the trail area during bad conditions.

During wet weather, the rocks become slippery and the mud becomes slick, the spokesperson said. Guides and rental companies inform people of safety concerns and where not to risk a hike or not to dive in water that may appear deep.

During wet weather the guides communicate frequently via radio and keep a close eye on things, the spokesperson said.

Some problems can arise when they have a health issue or slip and fall. It can be trouble if it happens toward the end of the day and there are fewer people around to see someone in trouble, the spokesperson said.