A woman whose body was recovered today after reportedly being swept out to sea during heavy weekend storms was identified as Sansan Sheng, 58, of Sunnvale, Calif., the Kaua‘i Police Department reported. She was scheduled to attend a conference on
A woman whose body was recovered today after reportedly being swept out to sea during heavy weekend storms was identified as Sansan Sheng, 58, of Sunnvale, Calif., the Kaua‘i Police Department reported. She was scheduled to attend a conference on Kaua‘i later this week and was traveling alone, according to a statement released by the police department. The woman’s family has been notified, and an autopsy will be scheduled early this week, police said.
Her body was discovered after a tour boat spotted the body in the ocean about four miles west of Hanakapi‘ai off the Na Pali Coast on the island’s North Shore. The Kaua‘i Fire Department rescue helicopter Air 1 retrieved the body and brought it to Princeville Airport at about 9 a.m. today.
An air and ocean search had begun yesterday afternoon, when witnesses reported observing a person attempting to cross Hanakapai‘ai Stream being swept into the ocean about 2:55 p.m. The person at first was thought to be a man. The search was called off after four hours, but the fire department — joined by the Coast Guard and Civil Air Patrol — resumed the search this morning.
The National Weather Service has extended a wind advisory until 6 p.m. Monday for leeward and windward parts of Kaua‘i. Winds might diminish tonight, but increase again Monday, the weather service reported on its website. “Winds this strong can bring down tree branches and make driving difficult,” the weather service stated, adding that winds of at least 30 mph, with gusts over 50 mph, are expected.
The National Weather Service also issued a high surf advisory for east-facing shores of Kaua‘i until 6 p.m. Monday, citing rough surf that can produce dangerous rip currents.
Meanwhile, the county announced detours and lane closures today on parts of Kuhio Highway, as construction crews conduct emergency repairs caused by heavy rains and flooding in recent days. Motorists are asked to avoid the following areas if possible.
*Kuhio Highway near the Dry Cave in Ha‘ena is closed as crews move boulders and trees that are in danger of falling from the hillside. Local traffic is allowed, “but fewer traffic stops allow for work to be completed more quickly,” an announcement stated.
*The Hanalei-bound lane on Kuhio Highway from Princeville to the Hanalei Bridge is closed while crews repair part of the highway asphalt that planed off as a result of heavy flooding.
*Traffic is being diverted from Kuhio Highway in Kilauea onto Kolo Road through Kilauea town while crews repair a damaged culvert.
