Missing 25-Year-Old James Fonseca Reported Found Safe in Hilo

Hawaii News Now reported that the Hawaii Police Department said James Fonseca, 25, was found in Hilo and in good health, and that the department thanked the public for their help in locating him. The HNN item carried the dateline SOUTH HILO and stated plainly, "A man reported missing earlier Saturday has been found."

Island police had earlier issued an advisory describing Fonseca as missing and endangered and warned he "may be in need of medical assistance." The Hawaiʻi Police Department advisory said Fonseca was last seen mid-afternoon on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, "in the area of the 100 block of Ala Oli Street in Hilo," with the original report noting he was last seen around 3 p.m. on Feb. 27.

The HPD advisory provided a full physical description: Fonseca is Caucasian with a fair complexion and a medium build, 6 feet and 3 inches tall, 200 pounds, with short brown hair and blue eyes. The advisory also recorded his clothing when last seen as a black long-sleeve shirt and black pants.

The Hawaiʻi Police Department page and the original missing-person notice included contact and location details for anyone with information. "Police ask anyone with information on Fonseca’s whereabouts to please call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311," the HPD text said. HPD’s Hilo station is listed at 349 Kapiʻolani Street, Hilo, HI 96720, and the department’s emergency number remains 911.

Sources in the available reporting do not provide a precise timestamp tying the HNN "found" report to the HPD advisory. The working public account is: Fonseca was last seen about 3 p.m. on Feb. 27 in the 100 block of Ala Oli Street, HPD issued a missing and endangered advisory with the descriptive details listed above, and Hawaii News Now later reported that "The Hawaii Police Department said that James Fonseca, 25, was found in Hilo and in good health."

Hawaii News Now quoted the department directly in noting the recovery and added that "The department thanks the public for their help in locating Fonseca." Residents with questions can contact the Hawaiʻi Police Department non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or visit the Hilo station at 349 Kapiʻolani Street for official updates.