San Diego

Spring Valley Woman Killed, Husband Missing In Hawaii Outing

Search for George Novinger to resume once weather clears

A Spring Valley woman was killed, and her husband is missing after the couple went on a river outing on the big island of Hawaii over the weekend. 

Police said 62-year-old Gladys Novinger fell into the water Saturday while crossing the Wailuku River above Rainbow Falls.

The Novingers were reportedly in Hawaii to visit family in the area.

The wife was found in the pool below the falls and was airlifted to Hilo Medical Center where she died. 

The husband, 61-year-old George Novinger, is yet to be found and rescue efforts were suspended due to bad weather.

Heavy rain and flash flooding forced rescuers to suspend their search Monday, and authorities said bad weather is still hampering their efforts on Tuesday.

The Novingers own Vineyard Hacienda in Spring Valley.

Gladys Novinger helped to found the House of Peru, which is in the process of having its own cottage built at the International Cottages in Balboa Park.

George Novinger recently retired as a diplomat for the U.S. State Department's Foreign Service. He also served as the Chairman of the International Cottage Committee and spoke last year to NBC 7 about the group's efforts to expand the International Cottages to include more nine additional nations including Mexico, India, Palestine and Peru.

In that interview, Novinger said the International Cottages are designed to bring nations together, as a place to celebrate the art, food and culture of different countries.

The Rainbow Falls waterfall stands about 80 feet high and is a popular tourist attraction located on the northwest border of Hilo.

With a viewing area just east of the falls, people can walk out onto the rocks and get a close view of the waterfall from above.

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