Search resumes for missing woman in Wai'anae

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

Friends and family of Helen Hun resumed their search yesterday on the Wai'anae Coast for the missing 75-year-old woman after encouraging news that she was seen recently at a fast-food restaurant in the area.

Helen Hun was last seen Nov. 4.

The reporting witness is a former neighbor and family friend of the missing woman, Camero said.

Hun is a diabetic who suffers from dementia and needs daily medication.

The two women talking to Hun at Burger King were in their late 60s, Camero said. At the time, Hun was wearing brown shorts, a blouse with pastel flower designs and a bowtie on the shoulder, and tan leather slippers.

Police believe the two women with Hun may be helping her, unaware that she's a missing person.

Anyone with information about Hun's whereabouts can contact Camero at 529-3394 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME by cellular phone.

Hun's friends and family, meanwhile, have been searching in groups from Kahe Point to Yokohama Bay daily and putting up posters along the the Wai'anae Coast.

"I thought we would have found her by now," said Helen Sanpei, Hun's daughter and the eldest of her four children. "It's disturbing for us since she's never left home before and has never slept anywhere except in her own house. We're concerned about whether she's eating, whether she has an injury."

Sanpei said her mother suffers from short-term memory loss but has no trouble recalling things from the distant past.

"We think she's out there with someone because she gets along with people," Sanpei said. "She's very cordial and can talk to anyone. You wouldn't think she has dementia because she's able to converse."

Sanpei said the volunteer search effort is supported by people from Manoa, Kailua and 'Aina Haina, as well as Leeward O'ahu.

Police are also assisting in the search effort.

Reach Rod Ohira at 535-8181 or rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.