Daylenn ’Moke’ Pua was an 18-year-old high school senior from the Big Island visiting his grandmother on Oahu when he left to hike the closed Haiku Stairs, known as the Stairway to Heaven. On the morning of February 27, 2015, he left his grandmother’s home in Waianae wearing a white long-sleeved t-shirt, black surf shorts, slippers, and carrying a red backpack. He boarded a bus to the trail and sent several photos to family while ascending; communications stopped abruptly around 11:00 a.m.

A large search followed. The Honolulu Fire Department, Honolulu Police Department, the Navy and volunteers searched the Koolau mountain range by helicopter and on the ground. Hikers reported hearing a cry for help from a narrow ridgeline, but search teams found no sign of Daylenn and the official search was suspended after several days. Family-led efforts with private helicopters, drones and fundraising continued. Investigators noted a faint image of a man in one of Daylenn’s photos, but expressed skepticism about a connection to foul play; authorities’ prevailing theory is that he likely slipped and fell on the hazardous stairs. Daylenn has never been found and the case remains open.

If anyone was on or near the Haiku Stairs on February 27, 2015, or has information about Daylenn’s last hours, please come forward.