Police Identify Man Missing at Sea

Michael Kitagawachi, of Kailua-Kona, is missing.

On Friday, June 5, it was reported by a family acquaintance that a fisherman had found a 15-foot, teal-colored, one-man canoe approximately one mile offshore of Honaunau Bay. The one-man canoe was identified as belonging to the 66-year old Kitagawachi.

Kitagawachi is reported to have left his residence earlier that morning and normally returns home by 8:30 a.m. He was reported to be in good health and no foul play is suspected at this time.

The Hawai’i Fire Department and Coast Guard were contacted and are making area checks in the ocean and the immediate coast line.

Kitagawachi is described as being 5-feet, 8-inches inches tall, weighing 150 pounds, with long white hair. He was last seen wearing a white colored rash guard shirt and black board shorts.

Police are asking anyone with any information regarding the current whereabouts of Kitagawachi to contact the Hawai’i Police Department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311 or Officer Krimsen Abilla at (808) 326-4646, ext. 253.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 808-961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.