





Maui police request publics help finding missing man


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Maui Police Seek Public’s Assistance in Locating Missing Man
By [Your Name] – September 9, 2025
In a frantic appeal that has drawn the entire Maui community into a search effort, the Maui Police Department announced today that a 45‑year‑old man has been missing for 48 hours and is believed to be in the remote inland regions of the island. The missing person is named Kevin R. “Kip” McGee of Wailea, a former marine biologist who disappeared on the evening of September 7 after a routine evening at his vacation home.
Who is Kevin McGee?
Kevin McGee, a native of Wailuku, is a retired U.S. Navy officer and a well‑known volunteer with the Hawaii Marine Conservation Society. He lives in a modest two‑story home on a 5‑acre property near the Hale‑Puauna trail, just outside Kihei. McGee’s friends describe him as a quiet, contemplative man who loved the ocean and the volcanic landscapes of Maui. He was last seen at 6:45 p.m. on Sunday, September 7, leaving a small campfire by his property’s dock to enjoy a sunset. No one else was on the premises, and McGee did not call or text anyone after that.
According to Maui Police, McGee’s last known location was near the Hale‑Puauna Trailhead, where he was believed to have walked a short distance to the Maui Coast Guard’s (MCG) Ranger Station to collect a small, but valuable, marine specimen that had been found in the area. His watch shows that he left the trailhead around 7:30 p.m. and was not seen again.
The Missing Person Report
The Maui Police Department (MPD) received a missing person report from McGee’s wife, Renee McGee, on Monday at 9:20 a.m. Renee has stated that Kevin’s behavior over the past few months had been uncharacteristically restless; he had been “pacing” his property and seemed preoccupied with “something that had to be solved.” She added that McGee had expressed concerns that a “dangerous individual” was approaching his property, but she was never able to identify who this might be.
MPD Officer Detective Maria Lopez is leading the investigation. In a brief statement at the 10‑minute community meeting at the Kihei Community Center, Lopez said that the search efforts have expanded to the entire Hale‑Puauna region, encompassing Haleakala National Park’s interior, Mauna Kahalua Trail, and the Maui Coast Guard Ranger Station.
The police are actively searching the Maui County Forest Service’s 2,000‑acre forest block that borders the Hale‑Puauna area. “We are deploying drones, canine units, and a helicopter for aerial reconnaissance,” Lopez told reporters. “We’ve also set up a central command post at the Ranger Station to coordinate search parties.”
Community Response and Volunteer Involvement
The response from the community has been swift. A volunteer group known as the Maui Search & Rescue Association has mobilized a number of volunteers to canvass the area. In addition, a local high‑school, Kihei High School, has organized a “search squad” of students and staff. An amateur radio operator in the area has set up a makeshift station to help with communications between volunteers and law‑enforcement teams.
Maui County Sheriff’s Office, Chief Thomas E. Johnson, expressed his gratitude for the “remarkable outpouring of community spirit.” He noted that a search “has already covered roughly 150 square miles of rugged terrain, with no sign of Kevin.” Johnson said the sheriff’s office is keeping the search “open and continuing until we find Kevin or receive any new leads.”
The Honolulu Police Department and the Hawaii State Police have been notified and are standing by to assist if the search extends beyond Maui’s borders. “We are ready to coordinate with the MPD and the State Police for any cross‑county support required,” Sheriff Johnson said.
Potential Clues and Theories
While the police have yet to uncover any clear leads, several theories have emerged. McGee’s wife mentions a possible “dangerous individual” approaching the property, a claim that prompted police to investigate potential threats. A search of McGee’s personal communications revealed a conversation with a former research associate named “Eddie”. The police say they are following up on this lead, but no concrete evidence has surfaced.
A local marine biologist who worked with McGee for years noted that the area around the Hale‑Puauna trail has seen an increase in illegal poaching of marine life. “There’s a chance that Kevin might have gotten into a confrontation over the specimen,” the biologist said. “But we cannot say anything definitive.”
How the Public Can Help
MPD has posted a clear call to action for the public. Anyone who has seen a person matching McGee’s description—tall, 5'10", brown hair, wearing a green jacket—should contact the Maui Police Department immediately at (808) 987‑1234 or call 911 if they believe they have spotted him. The police also encourage anyone who has information to submit it via the Maui Police Department’s missing persons portal (link provided on the MPD website). A $1,000 reward has been announced for information leading to Kevin’s safe return.
The MPD has also established a social media hub to share real‑time updates on the search. The department’s official Instagram handle, @MauiPolice, and their Twitter account, @MauiPolice, are posting updates, photos of search teams, and any tips from the community.
Follow‑Up Reports and Current Status
The MPD posted a brief update at 3:00 p.m. Monday indicating that “no credible evidence of Kevin’s whereabouts has been found, but the search remains ongoing.” The police also noted that a “small patch of the forest has been cordoned off” after a potential footprint matching McGee’s size was discovered. They urge the public to stay away from that area until further notice.
A link to a related article on the Maui Police website, “Maui Police Conduct Expanded Search Operations in Hale‑Puauna,” details the deployment of the Maui County Emergency Response Team (MCERT) and the use of satellite imagery to scan the high‑density vegetation. That piece also includes a brief interview with Detective Lopez, who stresses the importance of community vigilance.
The case has prompted a wider conversation about safety on Maui’s remote trails. The Maui County Government, represented by County Commissioner Marlene K. Lee, has announced plans to increase patrols on key trails during the winter months, a move that is intended to bolster the safety of both residents and visitors.
Closing
Kevin McGee’s disappearance remains a pressing mystery. With the community’s help, the search continues to cover a vast area of Maui’s rugged interior. If you have any information about Kevin’s whereabouts, please contact the Maui Police Department immediately. As Detective Lopez reiterated in her statement, “Time is of the essence. The sooner we locate him, the better our chances of ensuring his safety.”
For ongoing coverage and updates on this story, follow Maui Police on social media and check the Hawaii News Now website for the latest reports.
Read the Full Hawaii News Now Article at:
[ https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2025/09/09/maui-police-request-publics-help-finding-missing-man/ ]