8-02-24 Police Ask Public’s Assistance in Locating Missing Man in Lower Puna

Hawai‘i Police Department
Puna Patrol
Officer Christian Madera
Phone: (808) 965-2716
Report No.: 24-070034

Media Release

Hawai‘i Island police are asking the public’s assistance in locating 39-year-old Kasey Bell, of Mountain View, who was reported missing. Bell and a friend, 48-year-old Halii Anderson, of Pāhoa were the recent subject of a Nixle alert after they went hiking in the lava fields makai of the Leilani Estates subdivision at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31, telling family they would return at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 1.

When they failed to return, family members reported them missing to police at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Hawai‘i Fire Department deployed a helicopter and police issued a Nixle alert and conducted a ground search as part of the efforts to locate the men.

At 8:30 p.m. Thursday evening, the families of the two missing hikers reported that the men had returned home. Police confirmed that 48-year-old Halii Anderson had returned and was in good health. However, Bell, who has an outstanding $3,000 family court bench warrant, left the residence before police could speak with him and confirm he was safe and in good health, thus he is still considered missing.

Bell is described as Caucasian with a medium build, 6 feet tall, 189 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes. He was last seen wearing a black tank top shirt and blue shorts.

Police ask anyone with information on Bell’s whereabouts to call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.