In the late fall of 2009, 58-year-old Samuel Wheaton Bower, who had recently relocated to Hawaii from Park City, Utah, embarked on what should have been a pleasant day at sea. On the morning of Wednesday, December 2, 2009, Bower rented a 21-foot Triumph boat with a distinctive blue Bimini top from Kona Boat Rentals. At approximately 10:30 a.m., he was seen departing alone from Honokohau Harbor in Kailua-Kona, sailing near the popular Pine Trees surfing area. He reportedly told the rental company he was planning to meet friends and intended to return to shore by 5:30 p.m. That was the last time anyone reported seeing Samuel Bower.
As the evening approached and Bower failed to return, concern began to mount. At around 6:15 p.m., the rental boat he had been operating was discovered unoccupied, motoring in circles about three miles off the Kona coast, north of Honokohau Harbor. The discovery of the empty, running vessel immediately triggered a significant search and rescue operation. The U.S. Coast Guard and the Hawaii Fire Department launched an extensive search of the waters, but their efforts yielded no trace of the missing man. Inside the boat, authorities found fishing gear, suggesting a possible recreational purpose for his solo trip.
Samuel Bower was described as a Caucasian male, standing between 6 feet 3 inches and 6 feet 4 inches tall, and weighing between 220 and 240 pounds. He had brown hair and blue eyes. Despite the exhaustive search efforts and the subsequent investigation by the Hawaii Police Department, no sign of Bower was ever found. The circumstances of his disappearance point to a tragic accident at sea, and he is presumed to have perished. Though the exact events of that day remain unknown, the case of Samuel Bower serves as a somber reminder of the unpredictable nature of the ocean. His body has never been recovered, leaving his family and friends without definitive answers.
Last Seen: Dec 02, 2009
