‘We know he’s out there’: Family, friends search for missing man on Big Island

Published: Sep. 3, 2019 at 7:03 AM HST
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HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - A Big Island man is pleading for help to find his missing son.

Monday marks day three of the search for 27-year-old Kyle Brittain.

There have been no clues since Friday, that's when first responders found his vehicle at the Waipio Valley lookout.

“Kyle is an experienced hiker. He is a happy kid and the whole family, his mom, myself, Sean his brother, Cade his brother, Lily my wife, we’re dying because we know he’s out there,” said Steve Brittain.

Steve says the two have been hiking together since Kyle was 3 years old.

Kyle was last seen Friday morning around 7 a.m. as he was heading into Waipio Valley for a hike.

Hawaii County firefighters have been searching the area known as the Muliwai or Z trail. It connects Waipio Valley to Waimanu Valley.

“They also did a search of Hiilawe Falls area which is another branch of trails in the valley, all with negative findings and no confirmed sightings of the individual,” said Battalion Chief Matthias Kusch.

If the Hawaii County Fire Department doesn’t find anything in the next 48 hours, they will suspend their search.

If so, the Brittain family is determined to continue searching on their own.

On Monday, volunteers and even search dogs came over from neighbor islands.

"At this point we’re asking for volunteers. We’re asking for folks who’s willing to come out and hike,” said volunteer searcher Chris Berquist.

Berquist is one of the rescuers who found missing Maui Hiker Amanda Eller back in May.

He flew in from the Valley Isle to help.

“If you're a capable hiker and you're willing to come out and spend some time, that's appreciated,” Berquist said. Those wanting to help can meet at the Waipio lookout on Tuesday.

Facebook and GoFundMe pages have also been set up to help coordinate search efforts.

If you have seen Brittain, call Hawaii County police at (808) 935-3311.

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