Abigail Charity Bernstein and her two sons, Koa Kai and Kush Kohole Bernstein, have been missing since October 12, 2022, after leaving Honolulu, Hawaii, aboard a sailboat. More than four years later, their whereabouts remain unknown. The FBI’s Honolulu Field Office continues investigating the disappearance and has publicized a $10,000 reward for information leading to the family’s safe recovery.
The case has received renewed attention in November 2026 following reports about the arrest of the sailboat’s captain, Donald Steven Lang, in Canada on separate criminal allegations.
Who Is Abigail?
Abigail Charity Bernstein was 31 years old when she disappeared in October 2022.
She was known to use different versions of her name, including Avi and Abigayil.
According to information associated with the investigation, Abigail lived a relatively nomadic lifestyle and had connections to several American communities.
Her known ties included Honolulu, Hawaii; Naples, Florida; Petoskey, Michigan; and Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Before her disappearance, she reportedly arranged to undertake an extended sailing journey with her children.
The planned voyage was expected to last approximately one year.
However, the family’s departure marked the beginning of a disappearance that remains unresolved.
Missing Children
Abigail was accompanied by her two young sons when she boarded the sailboat.
Koa Kai Bernstein was nine years old, while Kush Kohole Bernstein was six at the time.
Koa has also been identified by the name Eliav.
Both boys were described as having brown eyes and brown or blondish-brown hair.
As of November 2026, they would be approximately 13 and 10 years old, respectively, depending on their birthdays.
Investigators have circulated age-progressed images to help the public recognize how the children might look today.
Their disappearance remains central to the FBI’s continuing efforts to locate the family.
Last Known Journey
The family departed from Ala Wai Boat Harbor in Honolulu on October 12, 2022.
They traveled aboard a 55-foot sailboat named Ishi.
The vessel was reportedly operated by sailor Donald Steven Lang, whom Abigail had met through an online connection.
The arrangement involved a planned year-long journey at sea.
However, communication with Abigail and her children reportedly stopped soon after the voyage began.
The lack of contact eventually raised concerns about their safety.
When the family failed to return as expected, authorities were alerted.
The circumstances of their departure and the absence of confirmed subsequent sightings have complicated the investigation.
Sailboat Captain
Donald Steven Lang was identified as the captain of the sailboat carrying Abigail and her sons.
Investigators have examined his account of what happened after the family left Honolulu.
Lang later resurfaced with the vessel, but Abigail and her children were not aboard.
According to accounts of the investigation, he provided explanations suggesting that the family had become seasick and left the boat.
One reported explanation involved their transferring to another vessel by unspecified means.
However, those accounts have not established where the family went or what happened afterward.
Lang’s statements should not be treated as proof of the family’s fate.
Authorities have continued seeking independent evidence concerning their whereabouts.
What Happened?
The central question remains what happened to Abigail, Koa, and Kush after their departure.
Investigators have considered different possibilities, including whether the family voluntarily stopped communicating.
Some early information reportedly suggested they might have chosen to live privately somewhere in the Hawaiian Islands.
However, no confirmed evidence has established that the family is living elsewhere voluntarily.
Authorities have also not publicly ruled out the possibility of foul play.
The available information does not establish whether the family reached another vessel or destination.
Without reliable sightings or confirmed communications, the events following the voyage remain uncertain.
FBI Investigation
The FBI’s Honolulu Field Office continues seeking information about the Bernstein family’s disappearance.
The agency has published identifying details and information about the circumstances of the case.
Its public materials also provide photographs intended to assist recognition.
Age-progressed images of the children have been circulated as the investigation has continued.
The case involves several unusual circumstances, including the family’s sailing plans, the reported loss of communication, and the captain’s later return without them.
Investigators have not publicly announced a confirmed explanation for the disappearance.
The FBI continues encouraging people with relevant information to come forward.
$10,000 Reward
The FBI has publicized a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the safe recovery of Abigail Bernstein and her two children.
The reward has received renewed attention as the case passes its fourth anniversary.
Its purpose is to encourage people who may possess relevant information to contact investigators.
Even information that appears minor could potentially help establish the family’s movements after October 2022.
However, anyone submitting a tip should distinguish firsthand knowledge from online speculation.
The reward does not mean that authorities have determined what happened to the family.
Their whereabouts remain unknown.
Captain’s Arrest
The investigation attracted additional public attention following Donald Steven Lang’s reported arrest in British Columbia, Canada, in August 2026.
According to reports, Canadian authorities detained Lang in coordination with American law enforcement.
The arrest was connected to federal child sexual exploitation allegations involving alleged incidents aboard his sailboat in late 2024.
Reports also identified separate older child abuse warrants from Idaho.
These allegations are separate from the unresolved disappearance of Abigail Bernstein and her sons.
An arrest or indictment is not a criminal conviction.
Lang is entitled to the presumption of innocence regarding charges that have not been proven in court.
His arrest also does not establish responsibility for the Bernstein family’s disappearance.
Physical Description
Abigail Bernstein was described as a white woman with brown hair and brown eyes.
At the time she disappeared, she reportedly stood between 5 feet 3 inches and 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighed approximately 100 to 120 pounds.
Her sons, Koa and Kush, were described as white boys with brown eyes and brown or blondish-brown hair.
Because more than four years have passed, their appearances may have changed considerably.
The FBI’s official missing-person materials and updated images are therefore important resources for anyone who believes they may have encountered the family.
How to Help
Anyone with credible information about Abigail Bernstein, Koa Kai Bernstein, or Kush Kohole Bernstein is encouraged to contact federal investigators.
FBI Honolulu Field Office: (808) 600-2405
National FBI Tip Line: 1-800-225-5324
Online Tips: https://tips.fbi.gov/
People can also review the official case information at https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/kidnap/abigail-bernstein.
Information should be submitted directly to investigators rather than circulated as unverified accusations on social media.
Latest Update
As of November 7, 2026, Abigail Bernstein and her two sons remain missing, with no publicly confirmed account establishing their whereabouts.
The family disappeared after departing Honolulu aboard the Ishi in October 2022.
The FBI continues pursuing information and has publicized a $10,000 reward connected to their safe recovery.
The reported arrest of Donald Steven Lang in Canada concerns separate criminal allegations and does not resolve the missing-person investigation.
The most important outstanding question remains where Abigail, Koa, and Kush went after leaving Honolulu. Anyone with reliable information is urged to contact the FBI.
