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Vistor From Japan Vanishes During Walk in Pupukea

PUPUKEA (KHNL) -- She walks a mile and a half to two miles every day for exercise. But then, something goes wrong. Honolulu police conduct a search Friday, after the young woman from Japan fails to return from her walk.

"This is where I last saw her, right here," Tom Rodewald, Pupukea resident, said.

Armed with a stapler, Rodewald posts fliers of his missing neighbor, Masumi Watanabe.

"She couldn't harm a fly if she had to," he said. "You know, you're just like, gosh, why would anybody pick somebody up like this, or where'd she go? I just don't understand."

Police dog Sander and his partners are also on the hunt. HPD's chopper scours the large search area from above.

Investigators say the 21-year-old visitor from Japan vanished during her daily walk Thursday morning.

"One of the main challenges that we have obviously is Pupukea is a huge community with, surrounded with valleys and mountains," Ofr. Phil Camero, Honolulu Police Department, said.

For the past two months, Watanabe has been living at a house on Maulukua Place with her host family, the Miuras.

"Yes, I am worried," Mitsu Miura, missing person's host, said. "I am kind of sleepless."

Miura describes her as very shy, and says she speaks little English.

"It's not like one person that would just venture out on her own," he said. "That would be the last thing I would expect."

Police say they can't rule out anything.

"There may be some mental instability on Ms. Watanabe's part," Camero said. "And that makes us very concerned."

If you think you've seen Watanabe or have any information about where she might be, call Crimestoppers at 955-8300.