FOUND: Search Underway for Missing Lānaʻi Man, Taguchi

Itsuki “Bucky” Taguchi. Courtesy photo.

By Wendy Osher

UPDATE: Itsuki “Bucky” Taguchi was found at approximately 11 a.m. this morning in Lānaʻi’s Kapano Gulch, just outside of the town limits, according to family members.

Family members say the 90-year-old man spent the night out in periods of rain and fog.

According to family members, he was in fair condition and was taken to the Lānaʻi Community Hospital for evaluation.

Fire Captain Kris Sakamoto said the man was found thanks to a coordinated effort by Engine-8 personnel and volunteers.

According to Capt. Sakamoto, Taguchi was located by volunteers behind the Lalakoa subdivision. The man was reported missing on Friday afternoon when he failed to return from a his daily walk. Authorities say he was last listed in good condition

(Original Post)

A search is underway for a 90-year-old Lānaʻi man who has been missing since Friday afternoon.

Family members say Itsuki “Bucky” Taguchi was last seen at approximately 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31, on the dirt service road mauka of Akolu Street, heading makai.

The man was last seen wearing a dark windbreaker jacket, cap, dark pants and walking shoes. He was also carrying a blue bag and a hunting knife. Taguchi is described as 5-feet tall, and weighs 110 pounds.

Emergency personnel and volunteers are conducting ground and house-to-house searches, and the Maui Fire Department’s Air-1 is assisting with an air search.

Authorities say the missing man is reported to suffer from Alzheimer’s and was last seen in the Lanai City area.

The search was suspended Friday due to darkness and resumed at first light on Saturday morning, according to Maui Fire Captain Kris Sakamoto.

Anyone with information on Taguchi’s whereabouts is asked to call 9-1-1.