UPDATE: Body of One Victim Recovered, East Maui Search Terminated for Second Missing Hiker
Update: (8:24 p.m. 3.2.21) East Maui Search Terminated
After another full day of comprehensive search efforts with no findings, the Maui Fire Department has terminated the search in Waikamoi, fire officials said. Crews were searching for the second of two missing men who were lost during inclement weather at Waikamoi in East Maui on Saturday. The body of one of the men, Angelo Ruiz, 27, of New Mexico was recovered on Sunday morning.
Update: (10:57 a.m. 3.2.21) Search Continues for Second Missing Hiker
Crews from the Maui Fire Department continued searching for the missing hiker until dusk on Monday without success. Crews from Rescue 10 aboard Air 1, along with Engine 2 personnel continued the search today (Tuesday, March 2, 2021).
Update: (3.1.21) Body of One Hiker Recovered, Police ID Victim
Maui police have since identified a missing hiker whose body was found Sunday in East Maui as Angelo Ruiz, 27, of New Mexico. The search for a second hiker is currently ongoing.
Police say the deceased man was found at around 10:15 a.m. on Sunday in the ocean, about 50 yards from shore and a half mile West of a waterfall that flows into the ocean.
The two visitors were both reported missing by another member of their group on Saturday, Feb. 27. Police say an investigation revealed that around 1:45 p.m., the two individuals went hiking to look at a waterfall. When they didn’t return by 4:30 p.m., their waiting party called for police assistance.
Previous Post: Search Underway in East Maui for Two Missing Hikers
Maui fire crews recovered the body of a visitor reported missing on Saturday evening. The man was found at around 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, about 50 yards offshore where Waikamoi Stream enters the ocean. The search for a second missing hiker continues today.
The department’s Air 1 helicopter and Rescue Boat 10 are deployed along with emergency callback personnel to assist in the search.
The visitors, both men in their 20s from the mainland, were reported missing by another member of their group at around 5:11 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27.
The department continues to urge the public to stay away from the area due to the potential for dangerous conditions and to allow searchers room to operate as effectively as possible.
Maui Fire Services Chief Rylan Yatsushiro says rescue crews reported heavy rains, flooding and flash flooding in the area, as well as a flash flood watch that was in effect from National Weather Service at the time.