Tourist swept away by river drowns

A 33-year-old Japanese tourist drowned Saturday afternoon on Kauai during a kayaking tour in the Wailua River, a Kauai County news release said.

The woman was with a group that kayaked down the Wailua River and hiked to a place known as Secret Falls.

When the group returned to their kayaks, the woman went into the water and was swept downriver at 12:36 p.m., the release said. A tour guide and several group members tried to help the woman but could not hold onto her as the current swept her downstream.

At 2:30 p.m. a paddler saw the woman in hau bushes along the riverbank about 75 yards downstream from Kamokila Village. Firefighters and state officials recovered the woman's body. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

2 kayakers rescued in Maunalua Bay

Firefighters rescued two kayakers yesterday after one of them broke his paddle in Maunalua Bay, a fire official said.

The kayakers, both men in their 30s, left Maunalua Beach Park at about 7 a.m. and were supposed to return by 9 a.m.

After receiving a call about the men being overdue, firefighters launched a helicopter and a watercraft, which found the men on the Diamond Head side of Maunalua Bay, said Honolulu Fire Capt. Earle Kealoha.

One of the men broke his paddle, and the other man stayed with him, Kealoha said.

A fire watercraft escorted both men to shore by 11:30 a.m. No one was injured.

MOILIILI

Excavation in lot severs gas line

Firefighters responded to the University Avenue area yesterday after neighbors complained about the smell of gas.

At about 4:15 p.m., firefighters received a call from 810 Kaaloa St. about a gaseous odor coming from an empty lot next door, said Honolulu fire Capt. Earle Kealoha.

Firefighters found someone had been clearing the lot with a Bobcat excavator earlier in the day and severed the gas line. A fire hazardous materials crew plugged the leak and monitored the area until detectors showed there was no more alarm. The Gas Co. was notified about the leak.

WINDWARD OAHU

Suspect arrested after girl's assault

Police arrested a 43-year-old man yesterday who allegedly sexually assaulted a 14-year-old as she slept at her friend's house.

The girl woke up at her friend's home Sunday morning in Waimanalo and found the man assaulting her, police said. The man, who did not have a local address, fled the area but was arrested when he returned to the house at about 6:30 a.m.

Dehydration affects hiker at Maunawili

Firefighters rescued a hiker in his 20s who was apparently suffering from dehydration yesterday at Maunawili Falls in Kailua.

Firefighters responded at 4:21 p.m. to a call about a man suffering from stomach cramps and vomiting, said Honolulu fire Capt. Earle Kealoha. Firefighters hiked into the trail and gave the man water, which helped him recover. Firefighters escorted him out of the trail by 5:15 p.m.