From disappearances that defy explanation to crimes that continue to elude justice, Hawaii’s cold cases serve as a haunting reminder that even in paradise, secrets can linger just beneath the surface.
Join us as we explore the chilling tales of these unsolved mysteries and unresolved crimes, piecing together clues and seeking answers to the questions that have endured for years. Here is an alphabetically-sorted list of cold or unsolved cases in the state of Hawaii (HI) that I’ve written about:
Bustamante, Dawn
Murdered on March 14, 1974 in Kailua, Oahu in HI. Two teenage girls were abducted, assaulted, and one was later murdered on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Almost 50 years on, the case remains unsolved.
Five Men Aboard the Sarah Joe
Missing since February 11, 1979 from Hana, Maui in HI. In 1979, a group of five friends went on a fishing trip from Hana, Hawaii. Their boat vanished, and so did they.
Pua, Daylenn “Moke”
Missing since February 27, 2015 from Waianae, Oahu in HI. In 2015, Pua went for a hike and never came back. Was this a tragic accident or did something more sinister happen?
Hawaiian Cities I’ve Written About
This section provides an alphabetically-sorted list of cities in Hawaii where the cases I’ve written about took place, along with the year in which the cases began.
Hana, Maui
Kailua, Oahu
- Bustamante, Dawn (1974)
Waianae, Oahu
- Pua, Daylenn “Moke” (2015)