Father and Son Missing, Hawaii Hike
HAWAII KAI, HI - OCTOBER 18: A view of Hanauma Bay with Koko Head in the background from a hiking trail overlooking the popular Nature Preserve, which has been closed since the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic, photographed on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020 in Hawaii Kai, HI. Amid the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, the State of Hawaii is trying to restart its tourism economy; October 15 was the start of a new traveler testing program, with thousands of people expected to arrive to the state. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Father and Son Missing After Hawaii Hike as Search Is Suspended

Officials have suspended the search for a father and son who went missing while hiking in Hawaii after an extensive multi-agency search.

Officials have suspended the search for a father and son who disappeared while hiking in Hawaii.

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The pair, a 49-year-old man and his 16-year-old son, were reported missing on Tuesday, June 23.

The U.S. Coast Guard and local emergency agencies said they searched more than 1,000 miles of land and 100 miles of coastline before calling off the operation.

Father and Son Missing After Hawaii Hike

During a press conference on Friday, June 26, officials said search crews covered approximately 1,086 miles between Makapu?u Point and Barbers Point.

The extensive search operation ran from "sun up to sundown" each day and involved 11 units and 25 personnel.

Officials suspended the search at approximately 7:29 p.m. on Friday.

Authorities received a 911 call at around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday reporting the father and son missing while they were visiting Hawaii from South Korea.

The call came after a backpack was discovered near the land bridge at Hanauma Bay. Investigators later located the family's vehicle in the Portlock neighborhood.

Search crews believe ocean currents may have swept the pair into the sea. To assist the search, the U.S. Coast Guard deployed drift buoys to track ocean currents and possible movement patterns.

The Korean Consulate has been assisting the family throughout the search.

Officials Urge Hikers to Stay on Marked Trails

Authorities believe the father and son left their hotel at around 7 a.m. on Tuesday to hike the Hanauma Bay Rock Bridge Trail.

"We'd like to extend our thoughts and our sympathies to the family," Honolulu Fire Department Captain Keopele Gowan said.

"At the fire department, we understand that some of the most beautiful beaches and hiking trails are on this island. We always want to remind people to be prepared and be safe. Things happen to even the most experienced."

Joe Pomaihealani, a contractor who works in the area, told KHON that the trail can be "ruthless," particularly for visitors unfamiliar with the terrain.

Officials said the trail is generally safe, but people have historically "run into trouble" after leaving the marked path and venturing too close to the shoreline.