Police Searching for Missing Fisherman

Hawaiʻi Island police have launched a missing persons investigation and are seeking the public’s help in locating 42-year-old Earl Kekuanaoa Hind, of Kona, a local fisherman last known to have launched his vessel from the South Point area on Monday, April 7, 2025.

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

The vessel, named Makalapua Onalani, is described as a 21-foot Force with a 2-foot extension, white hull, light blue cabin, and powered by twin outboard motors.

It was reported that Hind usually fishes around the South Point area. Hind and his vessel were last observed on Wednesday, April 9, around 12:00 p.m., offshore near the Milolii area heading in a northerly direction.

Hind’s truck and boat trailer were located parked near the South Point boat ramp area. Hind and his vessel’s current whereabouts are unknown at his time.

Search and rescue operations have been initiated. Aerial search efforts are currently being conducted by the Hawaiʻi Fire Department and the United States Coast Guard (USCG). Additional shoreline searches are also being conducted.

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

If Hind or his vessel is located at sea, the United States Coast Guard is requesting that anyone with information contact the USCG Command Center, LCDR Raphael Sandowitz at (808) 842-2600.