A 71-year-old man with dementia has been missing since he walked away from a relative's home in Pearl City last Friday afternoon, and his family says the unfamiliar territory makes the search especially urgent. Ronald Strode was last seen around 2 p.m. on September 18 leaving the residence, according to Honolulu police, who note that Strode actually lives in Waianae and does not know the Pearl City area.
Honolulu police issued a bulletin describing Strode as 5 feet 5 inches tall and about 150 pounds, with white hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing gray sweatpants, a black T-shirt with an In-N-Out Burger logo, and green shoes, according to KITV 4 Island News, which first reported on the search. Police have asked for the public's help locating him, and his family and friends say they are deeply concerned for his safety and wellbeing.
A Long Way From Home
The distance between where Strode was last seen and where he actually lives adds a layer of danger to the search. Pearl City and Waianae sit roughly 20 to 25 miles apart along Oahu's southern and leeward coasts, as Hoodline previously reported. For someone unfamiliar with the area and living with cognitive impairment, that stretch represents real risk if he attempted to travel on foot or by transit back toward home.
Strode lives in Waianae, in West Oahu, and his family is seeking his safe return.
State Silver Alert Law and Search Resources
Hawaii lawmakers created a statewide Silver Alert system to help in exactly this kind of case. Senate Bill 2305, now Hawaii Revised Statutes § 353C-15, was signed into law by Governor Josh Green in July 2024, establishing a Silver Alert program for cognitively impaired elders who go missing, according to the Hawaiʻi State Senate Majority.
The state also runs additional coordination tools for high-priority missing person cases. The Department of the Attorney General operates the Missing Child Center Hawaii under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 28-121, functioning as a clearinghouse that helps county police departments and state officials coordinate search efforts across jurisdictions.
Rising Numbers, Strong Recovery Rate
Cases like Strode's are a concern as Hawaii's elder population grows. Hawaii Public Radio has reported on Alzheimer's disease in Hawaii. That same report cited Honolulu Police Department figures showing a 99% recovery rate in cases involving missing kupuna diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, a track record police have pointed to while discussing public reporting channels.
Anyone with information about Strode's whereabouts is asked to call Honolulu CrimeStoppers at 808-955-8300. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the P3 Tips app or online at honolulucrimestoppers.org, with CrimeStoppers offering cash rewards of up to $1,000 for information that helps resolve missing person cases on Oahu.
