In spite of heavy rain and thunderstorms, a search by state and county rescuers continued late Tuesday afternoon in West Kaua’i for a missing Kaua’i man. The man, identified as Dallas Adams, 48, of Kekaha, went for a horseback ride
In spite of heavy rain and thunderstorms, a search by state and county rescuers continued late Tuesday afternoon in West Kaua’i for a missing Kaua’i man.
The man, identified as Dallas Adams, 48, of Kekaha, went for a horseback ride either in Polihale State Park or in the mountains at 8 a.m. Monday and has not returned from his trip.
On Monday, Adams reportedly told his wife he was going horseback riding at about 7 am. He said he would be riding in Polihale State Park or in the mountains.
At about 4:30 p.m., a neighbor reported to Adams’ wife, May, who had been at work all day, that the horse was in the area of Kekaha Gardens Park, but that Adams was not with the horse.
Between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Monday, searchers met with Adams’ family and began organization of the search, Peters said.
The search, which got underway between 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., was conducted on roads to Polihale, along canefields, parts of Kaumuali’i Highway and roads to Koke’e State Park, Peters said.
Adams is described as 48 years old, 5′ 10″ tall, about 200 pounds and of heavy build.
He has brown eyes and brown hair and was possibly wearing black pants, a cowboy hat and cowboy boots.
Fire Department acting battalion chief Jay Peters said five search and rescue specialist from the Lihu’e and Waimea fire stations were involved in the search.
An unknown number of Kaua’i police officers, three officers with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement office on Kaua’i and privately-owned search dogs also were involved in the search.
At 4 p.m. Tuesday, Tarey Low, who heads the DLNR law enforcement division, reported the man was still missing.
Peters said the search was hampered by muddy roads created by heavy rains.
“The whole island is under flash flood watch. The horse trails are almost wiped out by the rain, but they are taking four-wheel vehicles,” Peters said. In areas where the vehicles can’t pass, they have continued the search on foot, he said.
No helicopters were used in the search, apparently because of poor weather conditions.
“It is up to the police to make the call,” Peter said.
At least one Kaua’i Police Department’s Youth Service Division staffer was involved in the search. The division handles missing person cases.
Anyone with information about Adams’ whereabouts should call KPD dispatch at 241-6711.
Staff writer Lester Chang can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) and mailto:lchang@pulitzer.net
