Search Suspended For Missing Lāwa‘i Man

Efforts by authorities to find a missing Lāwa‘i man have concluded.

According to a news release from the Kaua‘i Police Department, the active search for 50-year-old Moses “Lono” Gardner, who went missing Sunday, May 8, in the trails off Miloli‘i Ridge Road in Kōke‘e State Park, was suspended Thursday, May 12, pending any new information.

First responders were dispatched Monday morning, May 9, following the report of a hiker who went missing while picking maile.

The multi-agency search party included the Kaua‘i Police Department, Kaua‘i Fire Department, Kaua‘i Search and Rescue Team and the state Department of Land and Natural resources.

“I’d like to personally thank all of our partner agencies for their role in conducting this nearly weeklong search,” KPD Investigative Services Bureau Lt. Chris Calio said in the press release. “Without this joint effort, we wouldn’t have been able to cover the amount of territory we did. Sadly, we were unable to locate Mr. Gardner, and we as a bureau would like to convey our sincere condolences to the family.”