LIHU‘E — A woman from Chile was identified as the person who died at Wailua Falls over the weekend, the Kaua‘i Police Department said in a statement on Sunday, Oct. 23.
Nicole Chavez, 28, was reported as a lost hiker at approximately 3:50 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22. At some point, a traveling partner of Chavez asked nearby hikers to assist with locating the woman after she did not return to the Wailua Falls lookout for two hours, the police department said. Hikers then made their way to the bottom of the falls, where Chavez was located. Chavez was unresponsive when she was located. Foul play is not suspected in her death. Personnel with the Kaua‘i Fire Department, including firefighters with the Lihu‘e fire station, Air 1, Rescue 3, and the on-duty battalion chief, assisted in recovering Chavez.
The incident prompted authorities to, in the interest of public safety, remind people that the trail leading to the pond at the bottom of Wailua Falls is closed to hiking. “No Hiking,” “No Trespassing” and “Danger” warning signs are posted in the area.
Volunteers with Life’s Bridges in Lihu‘e, a grief-counseling service, and Visitor Aloha Society of Kaua‘i, a nonprofit that provides emergency needs for visitors, are assisting the victim’s traveling partner. KPD personnel are working with the Chilean Consulate of Honolulu and Los Angeles.
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Wyatt Haupt Jr., editor, can be reached at 808-245-0457 or whaupt@thegardenisland.com.
Source: The Garden Island
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