21 year old Kevin Butler (left) and 18 year old Kimberly Linder (right), both from McCall, Idaho. They were – at one point -thought to be missing.

by David Corrigan

HAMAKUA, Hawaii – A couple who had reportedly gone missing during a camping trip to a valley on Hawaii Island have been found, unharmed.

Police put out a media release asking the public to be on the look-out for 21 year old Kevin Butler and 18 year old Kimberly Linder – both from McCall, Idaho – after a relative said they received a “disturbing phone call from someone who claimed to have Butler”.

The two checked out of their Kona hotel on Friday, May 24th and told family members they planned to camp in a tent in a valley. Police could not tell us which valley they planned to camp in. Butler and Linder  were not heard from since. State and national news organizations began to pick up on the story of the missing young couple.

But before the situation became the focus of national network morning shows, relatives reportedly heard from the two on Wednesday – the couple reportedly said they were surprised to hear about news stories reporting they were missing. No explanation was given for the so-called “disturbing phone call” from earlier.

Police later confirmed that Butler and Linder were OK… they located them in the Hamakua district.