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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, November 29, 2009

Häna couple still missing


By Mary Vorsino
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Police inspect the wreckage of the Lindquists’ SUV yesterday in a now-dry streambed near their isolated home.

Photos courtesy of the Lindquist family

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Carl and Rae Lindquist left the Hotel Häna Maui on Thanksgiving night, when rainfall in the area was intense.

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Maui police and firefighters were to resume a search this morning for a well-known Häna couple whose SUV is believed to have been swept into a streambed during heavy rainfall on Thanksgiving.

Carl and Rae Lindquist, both 75, were last seen at the Hotel Häna Maui about 9:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving. Their vehicle was found in a streambed near their home on Ulaino Road yesterday at about 10:30 a.m., and firefighters and police spent much of the day searching by air and on foot for the two.

Officials said the Lindquists' SUV was heavily damaged.

And they said water levels in the river where it ended up were 12 feet or more on Thanksgiving — when Häna was hit with 2 inches of rain in an hour. A flash-flood advisory for Häna was issued that evening.

Maui Fire Department acting battalion Chief Jamie Joyo said yesterday the Lindquists' vehicle was found about 200 yards from where Ulaino Road and the stream intersect. Firefighters searched along the riverbed yesterday and also searched by helicopter a quarter-mile out to sea.

Joyo said crews found nothing yesterday but will resume the search this morning.

The Lindquists, who celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary Tuesday, are familiar names on Maui, where they own Hana Coast Realty.

Carl Lindquist also is a founding partner of Hana Coast Gallery, and was formerly vice president and general manager of the Hotel Häna Maui and president of Trade Publishing Co. The couple is active in the community, where they are known for volunteering, and with the Maui Association of Realtors.

Lindquist family spokeswoman Dawn Lono, who is also an employee at Hana Coast Realty, said many community members came out yesterday to help search for the Lindquists, in addition to police and firefighters who led the search.

The Lindquists "are irreplaceable," she said. "The community is devastated."

Lono said the Lindquists live in a remote area of Häna and must cross two streams to reach their home.

The stream where the Lindquists' vehicle was found doesn't always have water, Lono said, but can get very high after heavy rains.

On Thanksgiving evening, she added, "the weather was really, really bad."

The couple has two children and a granddaughter on the Mainland, Lono said.

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