Fears continue to grow that a father and his teenage son who disappeared while hiking in Hawaii may have been swept out to sea.
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The 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 searched more than 1,000 miles of land and 100 miles of coastline before suspending the operation.
Although the pair have not been publicly identified, reports state they were visiting Hawaii from South Korea.
Man and Son Vanish During Hawaii Hike
Authorities received a 911 call at around 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23, reporting the father and son missing.
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.
"Everybody — visitors, locals — the ocean is dangerous, especially here in Hawaii," Chris Latronic, a spokesman for the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department, said.
"It can change in an instant. If you're visiting here, please check in with lifeguards. We know the situation, we know these beaches. We know the areas that are dangerous to lives and we'll try to keep you safe."
The pair are believed to have been hiking near a rock bridge on an unofficial section of the trail, a location widely regarded as hazardous due to its exposed position along the coastline.
Search Crews Feared Pair Were Swept Out to Sea
Visitors can follow a paved trail along a ridge overlooking Hanauma Bay. But some venture off the marked path to reach the edge of the cliffs.
"I am always in awe of these structures created by the random forces of nature," hiking blog, The Hiking HI, said. "But remember, those forces are still present and very powerful."
"They could easily knock you off your feet if you aren't paying attention. Always keep one eye on the ocean. There were several occasions where I had to scurry back up the cliff a bit."
An 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 after days of searching.
As crews worked to locate the missing pair, the U.S. Coast Guard deployed drift buoys to track ocean currents and determine where they may have been carried if they entered the water.
The Korean Consulate has been assisting the family throughout the search.
