He sent his family photos from the trail around 11 a.m. One of them showed a man in the background. He was never seen again.
Daylenn "Moke" Pua, 18, disappeared on February 27, 2015, while hiking Oahu's forbidden Haiku Stairs trail, also known as the "Stairway to Heaven." Despite an extensive search, he has never been found.
A Warning, Ignored
Pua was visiting his grandmother, Martha Bear, in Waianae while on a school trip from the Big Island. When he told her he wanted to hike the Haiku Stairs, she warned him the trail had been closed since 1987 and that he could be fined for trespassing. He responded to a similar warning from a friend on Facebook the day before, acknowledging the risk but noting he planned to take an alternate route avoiding a recent landslide near the main trail.
The Last Photos
On the morning of February 27, Pua left his grandmother's house and boarded a bus. Around 11 a.m., he sent family members several photos of himself on the trail. He was never heard from again. Studying the images afterward, his family noticed an unidentified man partially visible in the brush in the background of one photo. They shared it publicly, hoping someone could identify him. The Honolulu Police Department issued a Crime Stoppers appeal for information about the man, but no one ever came forward, and investigators ultimately said they considered it unlikely he was involved.
An Extensive Search
The Honolulu Fire Department, U.S. Navy, local volunteers, and drone operators searched the steep, rain-soaked terrain around the Haiku Stairs and nearby Moanalua Valley for days. Volunteers later rappelled roughly 600 feet down cliffs near where Pua's last photo was taken. Reports of cries for help heard by other hikers extended the search briefly before it was officially suspended on March 3, 2015; family and volunteers continued searching independently for weeks afterward. No trace of Pua — no remains, no belongings, no clothing — was ever found.
Where Things Stand Now
Pua's case remains listed as unresolved with Honolulu police. The Haiku Stairs themselves were officially removed in 2024 due to ongoing safety and environmental concerns, following years of debate over whether to demolish or repair the deteriorating structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Daylenn Pua ever been found?
No. Despite an extensive search, no trace of him has ever been located.
Was the mystery man in his photo ever identified?
No. Despite a public appeal and police investigation, his identity was never determined, and investigators considered it unlikely he was connected to the disappearance.
Is the Haiku Stairs trail still open?
No. It was closed to the public since 1987 and was officially removed in 2024.