HONOLULU (KHON2) — Seven months after the Silver Alert was signed into law, the program still hasn’t launched. Meanwhile, at-risk kupuna, who suffer from dementia and other disabilities, continue to go missing.
According to Crimestoppers, 77-year-old Ronald Miyashiro, who suffers from dementia, disappeared Monday morning from his home in Kalihi. Thankfully, he was located late Tuesday, Feb. 25 night.
But many more who go missing never return, highlighting the need for the state’s Department of Law Enforcement (DLE) to get the Silver Alert program, up and running.
“I think now we’re just in discussions,” Mike Lambert, DLE Director nominee explained. “And it’s just more about implementation and making sure that we are on board with the counties and ensuring that the state has that responsibility to push those out.”
Lambert said they hope to have it ready soon but DLE could not say when that would be.
Silver Alert works like the Amber Alert, sending out notifications to the public when an elderly, developmentally disabled person goes missing.
“Time is of the essence. And these are vulnerable persons, whether they have dementia or they may have other cognitive health issues or a disability,” said LJ Duenas, Alzheimer’s Association Executive Director.;
“It’s very disappointing that it hasn’t started yet,” Sen. Brandon Elefante said.
Elefante is a staunch advocate responsible for introducing the bill (SB2305) that paved the way for Silver Alert.
“This has been a long time coming since July 1 of last year, when the law went into effect,” he said. “So my hope is that it would be very soon that they can work out what they need to basically launch the Silver Alert program.”
According to Elefante, DLE already spent $250,000 to create the program and they’re asking for another $264,000 annually to keep it going.
No one understands the difference this program can make more than Patricia Arde, the daughter of Francisco ‘Frank’ Pangelinon, missing since May 2023. Pangelinon, who was 86 at the time of his disappearance, was last seen near the Kapolei Home Depot.
“We try to do whatever we can behind the scenes to keep searching for him, but despite all of our efforts, we’re still like at square one, with no leads, no clues, and it’s just so heartbreaking wondering what happened to him,” Arde explained holding back tears.
Every time another kupuna goes missing, Arde said her heart sinks.
She believes Silver Alert will help save lives.
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“It’s so beneficial to have that immediate notification,” she added. “And if any family could be spared that pain, it’s that’s reason enough to have the program in effect.”
Anyone with information about Frank Pangelinon or Ronald Miyashiro is asked to call 911 or Crimestoppers at (808) 955-8300.