The Hawai`i County Fire Department responded to the Wailuku River on Saturday afternoon after receiving a call about a body observed going over Rainbow Falls and down the river at about 2 p.m.
River conditions were extreme with high flow rates from several days of rain, authorities say.
A HFD chopper located the female body and guided rescuers down a steep embankment to a small cliff over the river where the body was stuck in an eddy.
Rescue crew members secured a line to the body at dusk and at first light Sunday morning ground units set-up a lowering, rappel and raising rope system above the river and retrieve the body.
The body was turned over to the Hawai`i Police Department and the coroner for identification.
File image of Rainbow Falls.
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