Police Renew Request for Information on Missing Ka‘ū Man Simon Varela

Hawaiʻi Island police are renewing their request for information regarding the whereabouts of 34-year-old Simon Varela of Ka‘ū, who was reported missing in December. Varela was last seen in the Hawaii Ocean View Estates subdivision at a residence in the 92-2100 block of Ocean View Parkway on Sunday, December 15, 2024, and has not been seen or heard from since.

He is described as Caucasian, 6 feet tall, 180 pounds, with shoulder length blonde hair and blue eyes. Varela may be operating a gold-colored 2003 Toyota Matrix with Hawai‘i license plates ZMF837. The vehicle is described as a four-door station wagon with a large amount of rust on the hood.

Police are urging anyone with information about Varela’s whereabouts to contact the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311 or Detective C. Melendez, of the Area II Criminal Investigation Section, via email at cacique.melendez@hawaiicounty.gov.

Citizens who wish to remain anonymous can make an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers does not record any calls or subscribe to caller ID.