KAILUA-KONA — Kyle Brittain is an outdoor lover who has been hiking since he was 3 years old.
On Friday he headed out alone to hike the “Z” trail into Waipio Valley, mapping out the trail before embarking. He was last seen at the lookout around 6:30 a.m. and hasn’t been seen since.
Hawaii County Police and Fire Departments have been conducting a search of the area, however, if he is not found, efforts are planned to be suspended today.
Kyle’s father Steve, a Hilo attorney, said his son is an experienced hiker who at 8 years old was the youngest person to hike 4,737 foot Half Dome in Yosemite National Park.
“The last couple of miles of that hike were in the dark. I was holding his hand. We heard bears rustling around. He said, ‘No, they’re not bears,’” said Steve. When asked how he liked the end of the hike, Kyle told his father “I don’t know, I had my eyes shut!”
“That’s how he is. A calm soul,” said Steve.
Kyle just completed massage school at Kapiolani Community College and was on the Big Island for his father’s wedding. He was house-sitting for his father and his new wife while they went on their honeymoon. Friday was supposed to be Kyle’s last day in Hilo before returning to Honolulu.
Family and friends that came to celebrate a wedding are now returning to the island to continue the search, including a former school mate trained in search and rescue.
“There’s no verification that he ever got to the bottom of the valley,” said Steve. “It’s a missing person case that potentially involves hiking.”
There are no official scent dogs on the island, however private residents from Waipio Valley have offered their canine’s services when the search continues today.
Kyle is described as being 5-feet-11-inches, 145 pounds, with brown hair and eyes.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to offset the cost of searching for the missing hiker. Over $10,000 has been raised in one day.
A Facebook page, Find Kyle Brittain, has been created to keep the community updated on the search.
A post on the site Tuesday states:
“We’re continuing to pray and hope that Kyle is found soon. As of today, we still don’t have any new developments regarding Kyle’s whereabouts.
A good friend sent us this amazing quote which resonated with us. ‘When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.’ (Franklin D. Roosevelt)
We still can’t thank each and every one of you for your continued efforts and prayers.
As the day is coming to an end, we realize that this will be another day of Kyle out there, awaiting a hand from a rescuer. There are numerous friends, family and volunteers flying out and contributing their time to help find Kyle. For those of you that cannot make it out, we ask that you continue to share Kyle’s story with everyone. Every share makes a huge impact.
Mahalo for all of your love. Kyle will be so happy knowing how loved he is.”
Police ask anyone who may have information on his whereabouts or who may have seen or spoken to Kyle to call the Honokaa Police Station at 775-7533 or the department’s non-emergency number at 935-3311.