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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 9:49 a.m., Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Big Island police continuing search for missing spearfisher

Advertiser Staff

Hawaii County police looking into the disappearance of a California man reported missing after going spearfishing in Kailua, Kona, now say it's possible the man might have been the victim of a boating accident or even a shark attack.

Paulo Dominici, 49, of San Francisco went spearfishing with a friend off the Kona Makai Condominiums on Alii Drive at 6:45 a.m. Saturday. He was reported missing at 10:47 a.m. after he failed to return to shore.

Big Island fire rescue personnel located items belonging to Dominici and turned them over to police. No body has been discovered.

Witnesses reported seeing a boat in the area where Dominici was believed to have been diving. An inspection of some of Dominici's recovered items indicate that he may have been involved in a boating accident.

Investigators from the Area II Criminal Investigations Section and the Conservation Enforcement Division of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources are actively investigating all leads. They have not ruled out the possibility of a shark attack.

The case is still classified as a missing person investigation.

Investigators are seeking the public's help in locating witnesses or persons who may have any information about boats in the area of the Kona Makai Condominiums on Saturday morning between 6:45 a.m. and 10:47 a.m.

Police ask anyone with information to call Detective Sharlotte Bird at 326-4646, extension 228, or the Police Department's non-emergency line at 935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.