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Big Isle police find missing boater, charge him with bail violations

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HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT

Derek Liu, 52, of Honokaa.

Big Island police located a 52-year-old man wanted for bail violations and reported missing after his Zodiac boat was found adrift off of North Kohala.

Derek Liu of Honokaa was found in Keaau at 1:30 a.m Monday and charged with two counts of violating the terms of his bail.

Hawaii Police Capt. Samuel Jelsma said they received a call of a suspicious vehicle turning into a vacant lot at Orchidlands Estate.

Jelsma said he was inside the vehicle with a Kamuela woman. Police also arrested the woman on suspicion of outstanding warrants.

On Dec. 2, CrimeStoppers issued a bulletin asking for the public’s help in locating Liu after his boat was found floating a mile off of Kohala Estates.

The fire department had said he was last seen by his family on Dec. 3 at home before he left to go fishing.

His green Nissan pickup truck was left at a Kawaihae campsite. A fisherman found a 12-foot inflatable boat about a mile off of Kohala Estates and towed it to the Kawaihae boat ramp. Campers said they saw a Zodiac-type boat Saturday, similar to the one found.

The Coast Guard deployed its MH-65 helicopter and cutter Kittiwake on Dec. 4 to search for Liu. The Hawaii County Fire Department also launched its helicopter, divers and ground personnel to scour the coastline.

Fire personnel and the Coast Guard suspended their search on Dec. 7.

One response to “Big Isle police find missing boater, charge him with bail violations”

  1. allie says:

    not again…scary area

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