A rescue team with the Big Island Fire Department recovered the body of a missing 'opihi picker along the Hamakua coastline between 'O'okala and Pa'auilo Saturday night.

The 'opihi picker was reported missing at 7:45 p.m. He was last seen along the Hamakua coastline.

The Fire Department's helicopter found the victim's body near the coastline and transported it to the police station.

The cause of death was not immediately known and the victim's identity was being held pending notification of family.

MAN FACES SEX ASSAULT CHARGES

An Army man based at Schofield Barracks was charged yesterday with multiple sex-assault counts involving a 13-year-old girl.

Matthew Lynn Faith II, 22, accused of three counts of first-degree sex assault and one count of third-degree sex assault, is being held at the main police station cellblock in lieu of $50,000 bail pending an initial appearance today at District Court.

Police described Faith and the juvenile as "acquaintances." The charges stem from incidents that occurred in November 2007 in Waipahu.

SEARCH FOR MAILE PICKER SUSPENDED

The Hawai'i County Fire Department last night suspended a search for a missing maile picker in Puna's Kulani Forest Reserve due to darkness.

The search, which was suspended at 7 p.m., will tentatively resume today.

Fire Capt. James Tomosada said three men went into the forest at 1 p.m. Saturday and became separated. One of the three made it out and reported the other two missing.

Firefighters began searching for the two men yesterday at 8:05 a.m. One of the two missing men, 19, walked out of the forest at Ihope Road at 10:30 a.m. as firefighters continued searching for the remaining missing man, 50.

The Fire Department helicopter and nine rescue specialists from two companies covered about 25 square miles between Stainback Highway and Ihope Road.

MAN, 47, ALLEGEDLY ASSAULTED WOMAN

Prosecutors have accused Maitland Joseph Spencer, 47, with physically assaulting a woman who intervened during a domestic argument Saturday night with his girlfriend, causing the alleged victim to suffer a bone fracture.