LIHUE — The search for Hawaiian native Benetta Kaiwi was suspended on Thursday, Oct. 10.
LIHUE — The search for Hawaiian native Benetta Kaiwi was suspended on Thursday, Oct. 10.
The three-day multiagency search was suspended on Thursday evening after the 47-year-old Anahola resident went missing in the water off Lumahai Beach in Hanalei on Monday evening, Oct. 7.
Personnel with the Kauai Police Department (KPD), Kauai Fire Department, U.S. Coast Guard and Ocean Safety Bureau all searched for Kaiwi in an air, land and sea response.
“Our thoughts are with Benetta Kaiwi’s loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” said KPD Assistant Chief Kalani Ke.
“We sincerely appreciate the efforts of everyone involved in the search, especially in the challenging conditions we faced. Mahalo to all our search partners for their unwavering support over the past three days.”
According to law enforcement authorities, first responders located Kaiwi’s unattended vehicle about 100 feet down a cliff near Lumahai Beach following calls of a crash around 8:45 p.m. on Monday.
Kuhio Highway was then closed on Tuesday, Oct. 8, to allow for crews to remove the vehicle off the cliff while the search continued.
The search for Kaiwi continued all day on Wednesday, Oct. 9, and into the evening on Thursday before being suspended.
KPD continues to encourage anyone with information regarding Kaiwi’s whereabouts to come forward and call KPD Dispatch at 808-241-1711.
