KALALAU — The hiker who was allegedly thrown off a Kalalau cliff on Sunday afternoon is still in critical condition, while the chief suspect in the incident remains at large.
There was no change in the status of the case as of Tuesday evening, according to a spokesperson for Kaua‘i Police Department. Access to Kalalau via the Ke‘e Beach trail head remained closed as the crime scene investigation and search for the suspect Justin Wynn Klein continued.
Officers are posted at the Ke‘e Beach site to watch for people exiting the trail, according to Kaua‘i Chief of Police Darryl Perry. As a matter of public safety, and to assist with a full investigation, access remains restricted to Kalalau via the Ke‘e Beach trail head until further notice.
“Permits or no permits, no one is allowed access past the Kalalau Trailhead until further notice,” said county spokesperson Sarah Blane. “KPD is working in tandem with DLNR.”
A spokesperson with the Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu said Tuesday that the office is working closely with the Kaua‘i Police Department. The consulate is aware of the situation but officials could not issue a statement yet as family of the victim is currently en route to Kaua‘i.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the 31-year-old victim — identified as a Japanese visitor — was in critical condition at Wilcox Memorial Hospital after sustaining multiple injuries from a roughly 15-foot drop. According to police, the woman was camping in Kalalau with a companion, who witnessed the incident.
The victim was evacuated from the site by Kaua‘i Fire Department’s Air 1 helicopter and transported from Princeville Airport by medics to Wilcox Memorial Hospital.
The 37-year-old suspect, Klein, is a Caucasian male, 6 feet 1 inch tall, with brown hair in a Mohawk haircut. He may have a mustache and a beard, and has a tribal band tattoo on his left arm.
Klein was last known to live in Kilauea. He is considered dangerous and should not be approached.
Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) officers continue searching for Klein, who may still be in the state park.
Anyone with information on Klein’s whereabouts is asked to call the Kaua‘i Police Department at 241-1711.
• Tom LaVenture, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or tlaventure@thegardenisland.com.
