A second day of searching the ocean off South Kohala turned up no sign of a missing fisherman wanted by police.
A second day of searching the ocean off South Kohala turned up no sign of a missing fisherman wanted by police.
According to John Whitman, a Hawaii County Fire Department West Hawaii battalion chief, the search will continue today for Derek Faisin Liu.
The search started about noon Sunday. According to a written Fire Department statement, 17 fire units, including both county helicopters, plus a Coast Guard helicopter and cutter were involved. The 52-year-old Honokaa man, wanted by police for allegedly violating terms of his release on bail for a burglary charge, is the owner of a 12-foot Zodiac-type inflatable boat towed to Kawaihae boat ramp by a fisherman who found the craft unoccupied and adrift about a mile offshore of Kohala Estates.
Liu’s truck was reportedly found near the ramp, as well.
Police and enforcement officers from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources are also involved in the investigation, according to the statement.
Liu’s family reportedly told authorities he was last seen Saturday afternoon at home prior to going fishing. Witnesses reported seeing a woman aboard the boat on Saturday, as well. Whitman said Monday afternoon authorities have neither identified the woman nor confirmed that Liu was accompanied by anyone.
According to a court document filed by police, Liu was arrested on Sept. 15 after an officer identified Liu from a surveillance video as one of two men who allegedly entered an Ainaloa Drive home in Puna on Aug. 7 and took items from the home.
Liu, who is free on $25,000 bail, pleaded not guilty to first-degree burglary. He is scheduled to face trial at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 6 in Hilo Circuit Court.
Police describe Liu as 5-foot-10, 165 pounds with brown eyes and black hair.
Capt. Andrew Burian, Hamakua police commander, published a wanted bulletin for Liu on Friday. He refused to speculate on whether Liu is lost at sea.
“I hope they find him safe and sound,” Burian said Monday afternoon, and added police intend to arrest Liu if he’s found alive.
Anyone with information on Liu’s whereabouts is asked to call the police non-emergency line at 935-3311 or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.