The skeletal remains discovered during a Nanakuli brush fire earlier this month have been identified as those of a man who was reported missing five years ago.

The Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office identified the man as Joseph Mason, 45, of Waianae. The office could not determine a cause of death.

A family member confirmed the remains belonged to Mason, who disappeared after leaving his Waianae home on June 17, 2005.

A few weeks later, police put out a CrimeStoppers alert asking for the public’s help in finding Mason.

Firefighters battling a brush fire on Oct. 5 found the skeletal remains about a mile from the ocean and a few hundred yards on the Nanakuli side of Lualualei Naval Road.

The remains had been there awhile, firefighters said. No wallet or other forms of identification were found near the body.

Police did not have information on the case.