Man Rescued from Rain-Swollen Wailuku River

Fire department personnel had to resort to swift-water techniques Thursday evening to rescue a man stranded on an island in the rain-swollen Wailuku River.

Responding to a 5:07 p.m. report, rescuers found the 18-year-old trapped in the area of the river off Wailuku Drive, mauka of the Wainaku Street Bridge.

Rescue personnel swam to the island using rope tethers and swift-water equipment and procedures and returned the man to shore.

The victim was uninjured and declined medical assistance.

The water level in the river was very high, Central Fire Station Capt. Matthias Kusch said in a statement.

Hilo was among areas placed under areas placed under a flood advisory Thursday afternoon.

Among the places hardest hit were mauka sections that feed into the Wailuku River.

The upslope area of Piihonua received more than 4 inches of rain between 11 p.m. Wednesday and 11 a.m. Thursday.