A 59-year-old Wainiha man was found dead Friday afternoon on the Garden Isle’s North Shore in an area that experienced significant flooding, according to a preliminary investigation by Kaua‘i police.  

First responders were dispatched at 1 p.m. to Kūhiō Highway and Wainiha Powerhouse Road where they found the body, according to a county news release. An autopsy is pending but foul play is not suspected and an investigation is ongoing. Kaua‘i police are currently trying to notify the victim’s next of kin, so they did not release the victim’s name.  

News of the man’s death quickly spread through Wainiha Friday afternoon as community members organized donated food, water, ice, gas and other supplies that would later be distributed to residents in need.

Community members, who were adamant that the victim’s name is not shared publicly until his family were notified, described the victim as a helper who was full of gratitude.

Gabrielle Edwards, who runs Wainiha Country Market with her mom, Joell, called the victim her “uncle friend,” saying he did what he could to help take care of others.

“He was a giving man and helped anyone who needed help,” Joell Edwards added.

Wainiha resident Megan Wong shared a similar sentiment. The victim was often seen out in the community as a handyman and working on various projects.

“His favorite thing to say was, ‘thank you, thank you, thank you,’” Joell Edwards said.

Hurricane Lowell passed close to Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau Monday night, bringing heavy rain, powerful gusts and damaging waves. Gabrielle Edwards said Wainiha River’s water levels that night were over five times as high as it usually is.    

Earlier in the week, county officials announced the death of a 74-year-old Kalāheo man who likely died due to the hurricane’s storm surge. An Oʻahu man was also killed after a large tree trunk fell on his tent in a Waimānalo park Monday evening.