Hilo, Hawaiʻi – Hawaiʻi Island police have issued an updated media release, renewing their call for public assistance in locating 42-year-old local fisherman Earl Kekuanaoa Hind, who has been missing since early April.
Hind was last known to have launched his vessel from the South Point area on Monday, April 7, 2025. Authorities report that he and his boat were last observed offshore on Wednesday, April 9, around 12:00 p.m. near the Miloli‘i area, heading in a northerly direction. Despite extensive search and rescue operations involving the Hawaiʻi Fire Department and the United States Coast Guard (USCG), Hind and his vessel remain unaccounted for.
Described as a Hawaiian man standing 6 feet tall and weighing 180 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes, Hind is an experienced fisherman known to operate in the South Point and South Kona regions. His vessel, the Makalapua Onalani, is a 21-foot Force boat with a 2-foot extension, featuring a white hull, a light blue cabin, and twin outboard motors. Police have emphasized that any sightings of Hind or his boat could be crucial to the ongoing investigation.
In their latest update, police confirmed that they have been actively following up on tips received from the public and have conducted interviews with Hind’s family, friends, and associates. However, no significant leads have emerged, prompting this renewed appeal for information.
The Hawaiʻi Fire Department and USCG have conducted aerial and maritime searches in the areas where Hind was last seen, but these efforts have not yet yielded results. Officials are particularly concerned given the potential hazards of fishing in the waters around South Point and Miloli‘i.
The public is asked to contact the Hawaiʻi Island Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 with any information about Hind or his vessel. For direct assistance, reach out to Detective Kohara at (808) 960-3118 or via email at Donovan.Kohara@hawaiicounty.gov. If Hind or his vessel is spotted at sea, the USCG Command Center should be notified immediately at (808) 842-2600.
Hind’s disappearance has raised concerns within the local fishing community, and authorities continue to emphasize the importance of safety protocols for mariners in the region. Anyone with information is encouraged to act promptly to assist in the search.