San Diego resident Khiara Henry traveled to Maui last July, rented a car, apparently drove it to Waianapanapa State Park in East Maui and was never seen again. Photo courtesy Theadra Hammond

Despite being plagued by nonstop questions, the family of Khiara Henry, a San Diego visitor who was last seen on Maui one year ago Tuesday, said one thing is for sure.

“We are not going to stop searching,” mother Monica Henry told The Maui News on Tuesday.

“At this point, we are never going to give up — ever,” older sister Theadra Hammond added.

Then 23, Khiara Henry planned a July trip from her San Diego home to Maui. She was last seen July 21, 2019, at a Kahului car rental agency, police said. Her rental car was found July 23 at Waianapanapa State Park, and she never showed up for her return flight booked July 29, family said.

Since then, there have been many tips but nothing solid, said family members, who live in Nevada and California. They took about four trips to search East Maui until the pandemic restricted travel.

“That’s what makes my sister’s case so hard — we have no evidence of anything,” Hammond said. “Evidence we could have had is gone. For instance, the rental vehicle was towed back and cleaned completely. If there was anything that did happen to her, it’s gone.”

Khiara Henry is described by police as 5-feet-3-inches tall and 120 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair.

What stands out most for family, though, is Khiara Henry’s smile and warmth.

“She’s very outgoing, spontaneous, adventurous,” Hammond said. “She’s polite to everyone. She always has a smile on her face. That’s one characteristic of my sister; she always had a big smile on her face.”

Her family said they miss Khiara Henry every day but holidays and special events, such as her 24th birthday in March, have been especially hard. For her birthday, family gathered to have a small ceremony, releasing balloons with notes inside.

“It’s been a struggle — a constant battle,” Monica Henry said. “We’ve had every emotion you could possibly imagine.”

Leading up to the one-year anniversary of Khiara Henry’s disappearance, the family increased — from $10,000 to $15,000 — the reward for information leading to her discovery.

“The Maui community has been so supportive,” Monica Henry said. “When we came to Maui, they embraced us. I want to thank them for keeping an eye out for her and sending tips in.”

Also, the Henrys established a tip hotline, (808) 757-5102, that goes straight to family members.

On the Find Khiara Henry Facebook page, family members said they are no longer listing the police line because “our detective does not return our calls.”

The Maui Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Family members said Tuesday that despite the many unknowns, they are holding out hope people will help them find her.

“If anyone knows anything, please say something,” Monica Henry said. “Try to keep her in your hearts and minds. She is somebody’s daughter and sister. Her whole family would love to have her home.”

* Kehaulani Cerizo can be reached at kcerizo@mauinews.com.