KAILUA-KONA — A Hawaii Island furlough inmate made an “unauthorized exit” early Tuesday from the Hale Nani Reintegration Center in Hilo, the state Department of Public Safety said.
Michael Blanco was seen walking out of the furlough center unauthorized just before 2 a.m. Tuesday, according to the department. Security staff told him to stop, but he ran. They pursued him but were unable to capture him.
The Hawaii Police Department was notified.
Blanco, who is 42 is years old, is described as being 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighing 190 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair. He is serving time for promotion of a dangerous drug and was on community custody status. His next parole hearing was scheduled for December.
The Department of Public Safety said that anyone who has seen Blanco should call 911.
Hale Nani, Hawaii Community Correctional Center’s reintegration program, is an open dorm-style building located in Panaewa. Hale Nani offers offenders reintegration services and a work release program for sentenced inmates who will be released on the island of Hawaii.