Rainy and muddy conditions yesterday hampered the volunteer search for a 77-year-old Australian man who has been missing for seven days.

Another search is planned today.

Yesterday's hunt for Jon Parsons was concentrated on the east-side ridge area of the narrow and hazardous Waimalu Ditch Trail in upper Pearl Ridge.

About two dozen volunteers, including Parsons' family members and the pig hunter who is the only person to have seen him on the trail, participated in yesterday's effort.

Mabel Kekina of the Hawaiian Hiking and Mountain Climbing Club said yesterday's search also involved dogs from Urban Search & Rescue, and volunteers from the Army, Air Force and Marines.