In the summer of 1996, Mark Kamaki Cajski was a 20-year-old biology student at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Described by friends as one of the 'nicest guys you'll ever meet,' he had a deep appreciation for the outdoors and enjoyed activities like fishing, snorkeling, and camping. On the morning of July 10, his roommate at the time, heard Cajski on the phone around 6:00 a.m. but couldn't make out the conversation.
Shortly after the call, Cajski left their dorm room with his snorkel, fins, and mask, leaving all his other personal belongings behind. It was noted that he was also taking care of a friend's 1972 gray and white Toyota Land Cruiser. Concern grew when he failed to show up for his 9:00 a.m. summer class, an absence that was highly out of character for the dedicated student. A woman later reported to authorities that she may have seen him driving the Land Cruiser out of the dormitory parking lot between 10:00 a.m. and noon that same day, though this sighting was never confirmed.
When Cajski didn't return to his dorm that evening, his friends became worried and reported him missing. His family was officially notified of his disappearance by police on the morning of July 12, prompting them to travel to Hawaii to aid in the search efforts. A significant break in the case came on the evening of July 13, when Cajski's brother discovered the Toyota Land Cruiser abandoned in a gravel parking lot near Anaehoomalu Bay, close to the Waikoloa Hotel on the west coast of the island. The following day, Cajski's backpack, which contained his wallet, was found about a mile south of where the vehicle was located. However, the snorkeling gear he was believed to have taken with him was not found.
An extensive search of the South Kohala coastal area was launched by the Big Island fire department, covering both the shoreline and underwater areas, but yielded no sign of the missing student. The official search was halted after a couple of days. Despite receiving several calls from people who believed they had seen Cajski in various locations across the state, which led police to renew their request for information in August of that year, he has never been heard from again. Friends and family have stated that it was extremely uncharacteristic of him to leave without telling anyone, and his roommate mentioned that while they often went snorkeling together, Cajski would not have gone alone. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance, including the early morning phone call and the discovery of his abandoned vehicle and belongings, remain a mystery. The case continues to be an active investigation with the Hawaii Police Department.Last Seen: Jul 10, 1996
