Hawai‘i Island police renew request for information regarding fisherman who went missing off South Point

Hawaiʻi Island police are renewing their request for information regarding a fisherman who went missing off South Point earlier this month.

Earl Kekuanaoa “Oa” Hind launched his vessel, named Makalapua Onalani, from the South Point boat ramp on April 7. He was last seen in waters around Miloli‘i on April 9 at around noon, heading in a northerly direction.

The search for Oa Hind and his vessel began the following day on April 10.

The U.S. Coast Guard and partnering agencies suspended their search on April 15 as there was no evidence of Oa Hind’s whereabouts after scouring 200,048 square nautical miles for more than 242 combined hours. Oa Hind’s family continued to search for another week with help from community members donating over $100,000 to fund the search through fueling private planes, buying plane tickets for people between the islands to search by air and working with satellites to try and pinpoint the fisherman’s location.

“A lot of people flew (commercially) voluntarily, or private donors paid out of pocket,” said family member Malia Hind.

Pacific Air Charters donated their plane and time to search for Oa Hind during the week of April 20, flying between O‘ahu and west of Kaua‘i with searches lasting about 5 to 6 hours, Malia Hind said.

However, Oa Hind and his vessel, a 21-foot Force with a 2-foot extension, a white hull, light blue cabin, and powered by twin outboard motors, are still nowhere to be found.

Makalapuaōnalani Hind said her father is a generational fisherman with more than 20 years of experience navigating the Pacific Ocean.

“My father is not only a seasoned seaman, he’s a survivor,” she stated. “He knows the ocean like the back of his hand. He knows how to catch fish, collect water, and endure.

“He has the skill, knowledge, and resilience to survive for weeks, even months out at sea. If anyone can make it through this, it’s him.”

Police have continued to follow up on tips and have interviewed many of Oa Hind’s known associates, friends and family.

Oa Hind is Hawaiian, 6 feet tall, 180 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes.

Police are asking anyone with information about Hind and/or his vessel’s whereabouts to contact the department’s non-emergency number at 808-935-3311 and/or Detective Donovan Kohara of the Area II Criminal Investigation Section at 808-960-3118 or via email at Donovan.Kohara@hawaiicounty.gov.

If Oa Hind or his vessel is located at sea, the United States Coast Guard is requesting that anyone with information contact the U.S. Coast Guard Command Center at 808-842-2600.