KOKE‘E — Hunters, mountain bikers and hikers are being called on to help join search efforts for a missing Nebraska hiker.
Extensive searches for 23-year-old Samuel Martinez of Lincoln, Nebraska, have taken place since Sunday.
Martinez, who arrived on Kaua‘i on May 12, was reported missing on May 27, after missing his May 25 flight back to Nebraska. Martinez, who is 6 feet tall and weighs around 180 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes, planned to hike and camp at various locations on the island, acquiring eight permits in Koke‘e and Waimea state parks and the Kalalau Trail.
Experienced hikers, mountain bikers and hunters can volunteer for search efforts today, meeting at 8 a.m. or noon at the Koke‘e Museum. Volunteers are asked to download the Gaia GPS or Avenza Map apps.
Volunteers from Kaua‘i Search and Rescue continued to search Tuesday, with focus on Waimea and Koke‘e state parks. An Air-1 pilot and Kaua‘i Police Department detectives did another sweep of both parks from about 9:45 to 11:45 a.m., a KPD spokesperson said.
“Some of the areas covered included Wai‘alae and the state cabin, the area of Camp 10, as well as other parts of the Waimea Canyon,” a spokesperson reported.
“Air-1 also flew over the Alaka‘i Swamp, the edge of the Kalepa Ridge Trail to the Kalalau Lookout, the entire Kalalau Valley, Miloli‘i Beach, Kalalau Beach and the Kalalau Trail. Kaua‘i Search and Rescue also conducted numerous ground searches. There is still no sign of missing 23-year-old Samuel Martinez,” the KPD spokesperson said.
Monday, investigators were able to track cell-phone activity from Martinez’s cell phone at about 4:40 p.m. on May 12 in the vicinity of Waimea Canyon Drive. The last ping was around 8:20 p.m., in the same general area of Waimea and Koke‘e state parks, according to a KPD release Monday. Cell-phone data was run through the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Civil Air Patrol’s Air Force Rescue Coordination Center.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t found any sign of Mr. Martinez throughout our searches,” said Bryson Ponce, KPD assistant chief in charge of the Investigative Services Bureau.
“We also haven’t encountered anyone who has accurately identified him and his whereabouts,” Ponce said. “At this point, there are several possibilities that could have taken place, especially on an island with dangerous terrain in places like Waimea Canyon and Koke‘e State Park trails, but we are still hoping for the best.”
In addition to KPD personnel, Kaua‘i Fire Department, including an Air-1 pilot and KFD rescue specialists, state Department of Land and Natural Resources personnel, Kaua‘i Civil Air Patrol and Kaua‘i Search and Rescue, conducted land and air search operations Sunday and Monday.
Monday, portions of Koke‘e and Waimea state parks were searched by land and air, including trails and the top ridges of Nu‘alolo and Miloli‘i. Areas of Kalalau Beach, campgrounds and an unmarked trail that starts at the back of Kalalau Valley and leads up to the top of the ridge near the Kalalau Lookout were also searched. Miloli‘i Beach, the bottom of Waimea Valley to the top of Koai‘e Canyon, were also traversed, according to a KPD release.
KFD personnel also drove ATVs through the entire Waimea Valley, including the area near Kukui Trail, and spoke with campers and hunters along the way.
Air-1 also searched the entire Polihale side of Koke‘e. Aerial searches were suspended after Monday.
“I want to once again thank all of the people who showed up during the holiday weekend to help with this search operation,” Ponce said. “We have so many caring people in our community doing everything they can to help bring this young man home.”
Anyone with information about Martinez’s whereabouts on Kaua‘i is urged to call KPD at 241-1711. Those who wish to remain anonymous can report a tip to Crime Stoppers Kaua‘i at 246-8300 or cskauai.org.
Search volunteers can call Chris at 808-344-0226 for more information.
I’ve done a number of search and rescue ops over the years, and at least 3 flood evacuations. Very hard work but also very rewarding. Best of luck to those who are volunteering to help out but don’t forget that accidents can also happen to the searchers so be extra careful out there!
What about drones? Surely some agencies have drones that can be used in the search. Lots of ground can be covered quickly that way.
any honest person who has lived in Hawaii knows the probabilities–his last phone ping was near night, when he was just off the plane. How was he traveling, and who was he with? The campground at the Park is flat. If he survived the night, there are people around in daylight and few trails from there that anyone could take unseen–so what happened? Was he registered at the campground May 12 night? He didn’t get farther–no need to search the whole island!
he was just off the plane toward the end of day–no time to hike–how did he travel–who was he with? Was he registered for the night at the park? He didn’t go farther according to his phone. No need to search the island–foul play!
does his phone have GPS locating?