Man’s body found in Keauhou park

Big Island police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a person whose partially decomposed body was found in a West Hawaii public park on Thursday.

Police investigation has turned up evidence that the decedent may have been a middle-aged homeless Caucasian man between 5-foot-8 and 5-foot-11 who frequented the Kainaliu, Kealakekua and Honalo areas. When found at Higashihara Park in Keauhou Mauka, he was wearing blue jeans, no shoes and a blue T-shirt depicting a SpongeBob character and the words “It’s Hip To Be Square.”

Police ask that anyone with information about his identity call Detective Walter Ah Mow at 326-4646, Ext 238.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

Detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigations Section are continuing the investigation. An autopsy is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday (July 24) to determine the cause of death and to help identify the remains.