Matthew Thayer – Maui News Photojournalist&Author - a podcast by Jim Lynch

Hello"Feel Good"Runners!
Summer is just about here! From what I have heard it has been a long winter on the mainland so all you runners should be ecstatic! You can now wear your running shorts and a short sleeve shirt and just head out the door. Nice! Remember, it does get hot and humid so drink your fluids, wear sunscreen, and stay hydrated.
Most of the spring races are over. There are a few summer marathons and smaller races to enjoy and is a great way to keep your running in check during the summer months . Many of you may be already training for fall races. One thing I remember about summer when I lived on the mainland, it goes by fast. So enjoy the entire summer months. Do all the things you love to do, spend a lot of time outside and most important keep running for sure.
Maui has made the national news recently. If you listened to my last episode, it was about 8 days into the search for missing runner/hiker Amanda Eller. I did not sound optimistic of the outcome since she left her phone, keys, purse, backpack and water in her car. And she was presumed lost in the Makawao Forest Reserve. So many rumors, theories, opinions were discussed daily. And honestly, I really thought the outcome would not be good, especially due to the length of time she was out there or possibly abducted.
So many volunteers gave up their time to search for Amanda. And the leaders of the search team quickly formed and did an outstanding job organizing the search efforts. They never gave up, they never gave up hope and were there day after day searching along with 50 to 100 volunteers. And then 17 days later Amanda was found alive. A very uplifting story of human strength and determination from all ends.
On the other end, another gentleman was missing in https://hawaiistateparks.org/parks/maui/%CA%BBiao-valley-state-monument/ (IAO Valley) here on the island. Noah"KeKai"Mina went to the IAO forest to do some reflecting and did not return. After the search was successfully completed for Amanda, the search team leaders shifted to IAO Valley in search of KeKai. Well, that did not turn out well. They found him deceased. Very sad ending. And somewhat personal for me. I know KeKai's mom Irene who has helped us out at the Maui Marathon heading up an Aid Station and supplying the food for the finish line through Maui's Farmers Union. I feel sad for Irene and the entire family. And may KeKai be at peace.
So, I am working on a FeelGood Running Episode with three of the main Search Team Leaders. You probably have seen them in the news during the recovery at some point. We will discuss both Amanda and KeKai searches and how they came together to organize the search and what, in their opinion, made it so effective.
Any runner or hiker can get lost in a forest/woods environment and this episode will give a great amount of information to help others organize a search team and have a plan. They will also provide good information if you are going on a solo run or hike in the forest or woods and what to take with you and precautions you can take to prevent getting lost. And if you do happen to get lost, what to do to survive and recommendations so that a search and rescue team, whether the fire or police or private citizens, may find you much faster. Look for this episode by the middle of July!
I am so excited for you to meet this episodes guest. Matthew Thayer is the Photojournalist for the https://www.mauinews.com (Maui News), the newspaper on Maui. And he has held this job for the past 39 years. Matt is also a published author with his 5 book Si-Fi series http://www.30000bc.com/ (30,000 B.C. Chronicles). He is also a good friend and we have some interesting history. You will need to listen to our conversation to find that out.Sometimes I will drift away from running on this podcast. So though Matt and I talk about running, we also talk a lot about Maui which you will...

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