Big Island police ask public to help locate missing 15-year-old Sophia Nihipali-Moniz

Hawaiʻi Island police have issued a missing/runaway alert for 15-year-old Sophia Nihipali‑Moniz after she was last seen near the intersection of Highway 130 and Highway 132 on Jan. 29. The county police posted a media release on Feb. 2 requesting public assistance with any information about her whereabouts.

The alert identifies Sophia Nihipali‑Moniz as a missing juvenile and frames the case as active. Beyond the last-seen location and date, the public release excerpt provided to this newsroom did not include a physical description, photograph, clothing details, case number, or a tip line. Those elements are typically included in full agency releases and are essential for helping neighbors, school communities, and motorists identify and report sightings.

Local impact is immediate for residents who live or travel near the Highway 130 and Highway 132 corridor. Those neighborhoods and commuters are in the best position to check security camera footage, review dash-cam recordings, and look for any recent, out-of-the-ordinary activity. Parents, school staff, bus drivers, kupuna, and business owners are particularly relevant in community searches for a missing teenager because they often have daily, practical contact points where information, even small details, can help investigators.

Hawaiʻi Island police have asked for public assistance; however, this account reflects only the facts included in the agency’s Feb. 2 release excerpt. Key verification items remain outstanding in the materials supplied to this newsroom: an official photo, height and weight, hair and eye color, clothing last seen wearing, contact or tip numbers, and any indication from police whether Sophia is considered endangered. Reporters and residents seeking those specifics should contact Hawaiʻi Island police media relations or the county dispatch center for the complete release and guidance on submitting tips.

This alert is distinct from other missing-person reports reported elsewhere. It is not related to a separate RCMP search for a 15-year-old in Manitoba; the two cases involve different jurisdictions, names, and circumstances. Maintaining that separation is important to avoid confusion in community-led searches and law-enforcement coordination.

What comes next for readers: check personal cameras and social feeds for anything dated around Jan. 29, share verified information only through official police channels, and contact Hawaiʻi Island police immediately if you believe you have seen Sophia Nihipali‑Moniz or have information that could help. Local authorities typically update media releases with photos and tip lines as new information becomes available; this newsroom will report those updates as they are confirmed.