Robert Bobby Amaral, 77, was last seen at his Lanai City home on the morning of July 29, 2005, at about 5:45 a.m. He was living with dementia and had a prior history of wandering, though he had always been found before. At the time he disappeared he was described as 5 feet 8 inches, about 150 pounds, with gray hair and brown eyes, wearing a light-blue T-shirt, dark blue-gray plaid pajama pants, off-white running shoes, and a blue cap.

The island’s response was immediate: more than 100 residents joined police, firefighters, the Hawaii National Guard and the Department of Land and Natural Resources in searches that covered rugged terrain across Lanai. Despite extensive efforts, no sign of Amaral was found. Investigators and the community have considered that dementia-related disorientation or an accidental fall in the island’s challenging landscape could explain his disappearance, but there is no concrete evidence to confirm either scenario.

Anyone who saw Robert Amaral around Lanai City on July 29, 2005, or who has information that might help locate him is asked to come forward.