Mainland relatives have not given up hope of finding an Oregon man who became lost after he reportedly hiked into Kalalau Valley over a year ago. Daniel Marks Jr. arrived on Kaua‘i in early November, 2005 and told acquaintances he
Mainland relatives have not given up hope of finding an Oregon man who became lost after he reportedly hiked into Kalalau Valley over a year ago.
Daniel Marks Jr. arrived on Kaua‘i in early November, 2005 and told acquaintances he planned to hike to the Kalalau Beach on the Na Pali Coast in the northeast corner of Kaua‘i.
Based on information from people who said they came across Marks, Susan and Ron Marks Jr., the missing man’s sister and brother, explored the possibility their brother started his trek from the Waimea Canyon lookout and headed north through heavily wooded and mountainous terrain to get to the coastline.
Daniel Marks’ aunt, Patricia Bernard Marks of Ginard, Ohio, now says his family and friends continue to pray for his safety and safe return.
In a letter to The Garden Island, Patricia Marks says her nephew’s name has been added to the National Center for Missing Adults at www.missingadults.org with the help of Claire Ueno, missing persons investigator with the Kaua‘i Police Department.
Patricia Marks said that she is trying to publicize the disappearance of Marks on the America’s Most Wanted program to encourage more people to come forward with information on her nephew.
Patricia Marks also said she plans to hold fundraisers to pay for more dog or aerial searches on Kaua‘i.
Hoping to engender fresh news coverage, she said she hopes to connect with youthful hikers on Kaua‘i.
“I noticed when I was on Kaua‘i (for the search for Marks) that there were so many young men visiting the island at that time, wearing backpacks, visiting art, music, organic food stores and farmers’ markets,” she wrote. “Possibly some of these same visitors will return this year. They may know something about Daniel, but may be totally unaware that Daniel is missing.”
She hopes to connect with people who live in remote areas of Kaua‘i, where Daniel Marks might have gone.
“I often wonder if anyone in those areas has information on Daniel but doesn’t yet know that he is missing,” she states.
She said she and others mounted posters of Daniel Marks across the island to raise awareness about his disappearance.
Marks was reported missing by Susan Marks on Nov. 22, 2005.
The family pointed to three circumstances that suggested Marks was on Kaua‘i late last year.
Susan Marks said Ric Magdaug, a former O‘ahu resident who lived on Kaua‘i more than a year ago, picked up Marks in his vehicle after her brother checked out of a youth hostel in Kapa‘a Nov. 10, 2005.
Susan Marks believes Magdaug saw her brother because he recalled him talking about attending Portland State University and going to Honduras.
Daniel Marks was to have started graduate school at the Mainland college in January this year.
Following his trip to Kaua‘i, he was to have flown with Susan Marks and her fiancee to Colorado for their wedding and then fly to Honduras, where his new brother-in-law was from.
Another lead on Marks’ possible whereabouts came from a doctor at the Kauai Medical Clinic at the Kukui Grove Professional Village in Lihu‘e.
The doctor, who was not identified, treated the missing man Nov. 16 for rash on his legs and back from insect bites he had received while he was in his sleeping bag.
Susan Marks said staff members didn’t have any record of his brother’s name, but are certain they saw him, and recalled Marks told them he was going to camp on Kaua‘i.
Patients generally sign their names on patient care sheets before they are treated.
A third strong lead surfaced when a Kaua‘i woman reported she picked up Daniel Marks in her vehicle soon after he left the Lihu‘e Airport Nov. 9 and began hitchhiking.
Susan Marks said the woman told her he was going to meet a guy from Maui who had a state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ camping permit and had planned to camp out at Hanakapiai Beach.
At the time he was missing, Marks, who is 5 foot 8 inches tall and has brown eyes and hair, weighed between 130 and 140 pounds and wore a beard.
He has tattoos on his upper arms. Marks is of Caucasian descent.
Ueno said Marks has not been found on Kaua‘i and his case is still active. With any evidence or tips that Marks may be on Kaua‘i, the county will reactivate search efforts.
People with new information on Marks can call Patricia Marks at 1-330-545-9468 or 1-808-634-3231 or go to patbernard99@aol.com
People may also contact KPD’s Investigative Services Bureau at 241-1677, or Ueno at 241-1696.
• Lester Chang, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) or lchang@kauaipubco.com.
