Family of Wailuku hiker: ‘Hold those dear to you’
Body of Noah ‘Kekai’ Mina recovered in West Maui Mountains on Wednesday
Vincent Mina said this recent photo shows son, Noah “Kekai” Mina, in Iao Valley, a place he loved and where Kekai’s mother, Irene, was born. Mina was reported missing May 20 after leaving for a hike in the Kapilau Ridge Trail area, police said. His body was recovered Wednesday after being found in an air search below a West Maui Mountains ridge, according to family. VINCENT MINA photo
Vincent Mina said this recent photo shows son, Noah “Kekai” Mina, in Iao Valley, a place he loved and where Kekai’s mother, Irene, was born. Mina was reported missing May 20 after leaving for a hike in the Kapilau Ridge Trail area, police said. His body was recovered Wednesday after being found in an air search below a West Maui Mountains ridge, according to family. VINCENT MINA photo
KEAHI BUSTAMENTE – Aboard seach helicopter. Photo courtesy Kaimana Brummel
Noah “Kekai” Mina (from right) enjoys a night out with girlfriend, Annina Wild; father, Vincent; mother, Irene; and sister, Kahanulani. The Mina family expressed loss, solace and gratitude over the discovery of Mina’s body Wednesday down a West Maui Mountains ridge after a private air search, according to a family news release. Mina was reported missing May 20 after leaving for a hike in the Kapilau Ridge Trail area, police said. Mina family photo
Vincent Mina said this recent photo shows son, Noah “Kekai” Mina, in Iao Valley, a place he loved and where Kekai’s mother, Irene, was born. Mina was reported missing May 20 after leaving for a hike in the Kapilau Ridge Trail area, police said. His body was recovered Wednesday after being found in an air search below a West Maui Mountains ridge, according to family. VINCENT MINA photo
Vincent Mina said this recent photo shows son, Noah “Kekai” Mina, in Iao Valley, a place he loved and where Kekai’s mother, Irene, was born. Mina was reported missing May 20 after leaving for a hike in the Kapilau Ridge Trail area, police said. His body was recovered Wednesday after being found in an air search below a West Maui Mountains ridge, according to family. VINCENT MINA photo
KEAHI BUSTAMENTE – Aboard seach helicopter. Photo courtesy Kaimana Brummel
Noah “Kekai” Mina (from right) enjoys a night out with girlfriend, Annina Wild; father, Vincent; mother, Irene; and sister, Kahanulani. The Mina family expressed loss, solace and gratitude over the discovery of Mina’s body Wednesday down a West Maui Mountains ridge after a private air search, according to a family news release. Mina was reported missing May 20 after leaving for a hike in the Kapilau Ridge Trail area, police said. Mina family photo
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The family of hiker Noah "Kekai" Mina on Wednesday encouraged people to pause.
Take a moment.
Hold and love those close a little longer.
Earlier in the day, father, Vincent, mother, Irene, sister, Kahanulani, all of whom have strong ties to the Maui community, learned that Mina's body was discovered by a private helicopter 400 feet below a steep West Maui Mountains ridge.
"We are so very sorry that Kekai has passed from this realm, he meant the world to us as a son, brother and friend," Mina's immediate family said in a news release. "We find solace that he was found, and ask all those that extended their hearts and love to Kekai and to us, that you pause, and take a moment to love and hold those that are dear to you a moment longer than you would normally do."
At around 5 a.m. Wednesday, volunteer searcher Keahi Bustamente, state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife biologist and geologist, took off with volunteers Ho'okahi Alves and Hank Oppenheimer aboard a private Windward Aviation helicopter with FLIR (forward-looking infrared) technology that detects heat sources. Their aim was to review a trail leading down the ridge where they thought they saw a fall line, Bustamente said in a video statement.
The sun had come up, and it was too late to continue the FLIR, he said. Then, about 300 feet down, "the sun was perfectly lighting the area, and there was a second when the rotor wash blew open the amau (fern) that was camouflaging his body and the light reflected from his skin," he said. "We were able to confirm it was Kekai."
Calling him their sunshine, the Mina family said they are grateful for the positive impact Kekai has had on people's lives.
"We are so fortunate to have had the time here physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, with him," according to the news release. "Those that know Kekai understand what we're talking about. He made a profound difference in ours and many others lives. He is our sunshine."
Also, the Mina family thanked the community Wednesday for their support during this time.
"We want to thank everyone from the depths of our hearts and souls, that have been here to support us, while praying to bring him home," the news release said. "We appreciate you and can't thank you enough. Mahalo nui loa pumehana to one and all."
An update from police Wednesday evening said that the male body recovered tentatively was identified as Mina, though an autopsy will be performed for official confirmation.
Police said a search group consisting of West Maui watershed workers, state Forestry and Wildlife Division personnel and a pilot from Windward Aviation found the body at about 6:35 a.m.
The body was found about 400 feet below a steep ridge, police said. This area was only accessible by helicopter; Maui Fire Department rescue crews needed to be dropped in to retrieve the body.
Mina, 35, was reported missing May 20 after leaving for the Kapilau Ridge Trail area, also known as St. Anthony Cross, police said. An initial search by fire and police did not locate Mina, and the family sought online donations via GoFundMe to help support private efforts by land and air experts who could enter the difficult terrain.
Vincent Mina said last week that his son, whom he described as a gentle, loving, humble soul with a strong Hawaiian heart and will, often turned to nature to find a safe haven.
* Kehaulani Cerizo can be reached at kcerizo@mauinews.com.