In the late evening, a sense of unease began to settle over the family of Kainalu Higbee, a 41-year-old man from Pāʻia, Maui. On May 6, 2022, following a disagreement with his wife at their home, he was asked to go to his mother's residence in Lahaina. He departed in his white Toyota Tacoma. He stayed with his mother until approximately 11:30 p.m. the following night, at which point he left her home. Before leaving, he gave his mother his cell phone and wished her a happy Mother's Day. This would be the last time he was seen or heard from by his loved ones.
Days turned into a week with no word from Kainalu, heightening the concern of his family. His wife officially reported him missing to the Maui Police Department on the morning of May 16, 2022. An investigation was launched, and it was soon discovered that his truck had been found unattended. The vehicle was located a few blocks from his mother's house and was eventually towed on May 12th after being left for several days. Inside the unlocked truck were his wallet, driver's license, and credit cards. His wife expressed that it was highly uncharacteristic of him to abandon his truck in such a manner.
The disappearance of Kainalu Higbee, a loving father of three, has left his family and community in a state of profound worry and uncertainty. Known affectionately as 'Kai,' he was described as being very close to his children and was looking forward to his oldest son's high school graduation, an event he would unfortunately miss. While he had faced personal struggles with substance abuse, his wife stated that he would never be out of contact for such an extended period, even during difficult times. The investigation into his disappearance remains open, with authorities seeking any information that could lead to his whereabouts and bring solace to his grieving family. The circumstances surrounding his last known movements and the discovery of his abandoned vehicle present a troubling puzzle that continues to be unsolved.
Last Seen: May 07, 2022
