Poipu woman’s father’s cowboy boots returned

The boots are back.

“The heartfelt concern and prayers from everyone on Kauai is so deeply appreciated today,” wrote M. Martin.

After a week of tears and heartache when the cowboy boots that belonged to her father were stolen from near the front door of her South Shore home, Martin is feeling much, much better. Those boots are home again.

“I have a re-invigorated faith in the people of Kauai,” she wrote.

Kathleen Murguia contacted Martin after her son found some boots in the bushes while fishing in the Poipu area. She recognized the boots from a picture and story about them in the July 24 edition of The Garden Island.

Martin quickly went to meet them.

“I was over the moon happy when I met her and recognized my Dad’s boots immediately,” she said.

Word of their return spread quickly.

“I have had people from all over Hawaii and the mainland tell me how happy they are my dad’s boots are back,” Martin said. “I have been floating with happiness today! Kauai is full of amazing people!”

The boots were important to Martin because they belonged to her father, who passed away last year. She kept his boots, a handkerchief and a belt.

The theft of the boots, which her dad wore daily, was heartbreaking and Martin offered a reward for their return. Many people responded with kind words. She will never forget them.

“Many of you called and wrote in and I am certain you all had a hand in getting Dad’s boots home,” she said.

When Murguia’s son found the boots, he decided to bring them to their Koloa Town home in case someone reported them missing. They were a bit old and beat up, but he doubted someone just tossed them away.

“These could be somebody’s,” he said.

When she saw the boots, Kathleen Murguia thought she recognized them.

“I saw something in the paper about boots,” she said.

So she went and retrieved The Garden Island from the recycling bin. Sure enough, there was a picture, and story, on page one.

After contacting TGI, she was able to track down Martin.

When she and Martin met, it was emotional.

“She had the boots and she started crying,” Murguia said. “She said, ‘Thank you for bringing daddy home.’ It was very touching.”

Murguia’s son received a cash reward, which she said they tried to turn down, but Martin insisted they take it.

The boots will be well protected from now on, too. No more will they be left outside at the front door.

“I am never letting these boots out of my sight again,” Martin said.