The Hawai’i Police Department has initiated a missing person case in connection with a missing boater.

Samuel Bower, 58, of Utah rented a 21-foot boat at Honokōhau Harbor on Wednesday (December 2) and was last seen departing the harbor alone in the boat at 10:30 a.m. He said he was heading to Kealakekua Bay to meet with friends, and he was due to return by 5:30 p.m.

At about 6:15 p.m., the rental boat was found north of Honokōhau Harbor about three miles out with no one on board.

The U.S. Coast Guard and Hawai’i Fire Department are continuing a search. Bower is described as Caucasian, 6-foot-3, 225 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. The boat was described as a 21-foot Kona Boat Rentals with a blue Bimini top.

Police ask that anyone with information on his whereabouts or anyone who may have seen the boat call Detective Sean Smith at 326-4646, extension 275.