The Hawai'i County Police Department is asking for the public's help in finding a 32-year-old Hilo man who was reported missing on April 1.

Phillip "Kaipo" Pai was fishing with a friend in the area of Orrs beach in Wa'a Wa'a, Pahoa, on a small island offshore. As Pai tried to return to shore by jumping into a channel, he was washed under by large sets of waves, police said. Hawai'i County Fire Department personnel made checks of the area but did not find him.

Pai is described as 5 feet 7 and 175 pounds, with short black hair, brown eyes and a tan complexion.

Police ask anyone with information about this case to call Detective Kelley Matsumoto at 808-961-2380 or the police department's nonemergency line at 808-935-3311. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call CrimeStoppers at 808-961-8300 in Hilo or 808-329-8181 in Kona. All CrimeStoppers information is kept confidential.