The boyfriend of a missing yoga instructor who went missing a week ago in Hawaii says he has not given up hope because he believes she's still in the forest.

Amanda Eller, 35, was reported missing last Thursday after she failed to return from a routine hike on a Makawao Forest Reserve trail in Maui. 

Eller had gone hiking without her phone when she disappeared and was last seen by her boyfriend of a year, Benjamin Konkol. 

Konkol says he wants to 'encourage everyone to not give up hope that maybe she's not here'.

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Benjamin Konkol (left), the boyfriend of missing yoga instructor, Amanda Eller (right), 35, who went missing a week ago in Hawaii, says he has not given up hope because he believes she's still in the forest





Konkol (center and Eller, right) said that 'there's very strong evidence pointing to yeah she's definitely still here, we just haven't found her yet'

He told ABC News that 'there's very strong evidence pointing to yeah she's definitely still here, we just haven't found her yet'.

Surveillance footage was also released this week and shows Eller wearing workout gear, stopping at the Ha'iku Post Office and a store on the morning she went missing. 

She is seen mailing a Mother's Day package and buying water and energy bars. 

Earlier this week, Eller's family said they feared she may have been 'intercepted' by someone involved in her disappearance. 

Eller, who is originally from Maryland, works as a physical therapist and yoga instructor who lives and practices in Haiku. 

She was last seen at around 7am last Wednesday at her home by Konkol, who has passed a polygraph test.

He reported that she was in good spirits and looking forward to a day off, friends wrote on a GoFundMe page set up to help search for her. 
















Surveillance footage was also released this week and shows Eller wearing workout gear, stopping at the Ha'iku Post Office and a store on the morning she went missing





She is seen mailing a Mother's Day package and buying water and energy bars (she's pictured at the store)





Maui Police issued an image of Eller's car in the parking lot of the Makawao Forest Reserve trail in Maui. She had left her cellphone and wallet in the car before setting off on a hike 

Her white Toyota RAV4 was later found in a nearby parking lot by police, where she had left her cellphone and wallet.

Family spokeswoman Sarah Haynes said they are growing more fearful that foul play might be involved in her disappearance. 

She told Maui News on Monday: 'Generally speaking, it's highly likely she's lost or injured in this forest and its equally as likely that she was intercepted by someone in the parking lot, or on her run. 




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'As the days go by, and more and more people are in the forest, we get closer and closer to foul play.' 

Hundreds of volunteers have been combing the island for the missing woman in a search that has included tracking dogs, helicopters and drones.

Her family is asking for experienced hikers and hunters to help look for her in the densely-covered forest. 




Eller's family flew into Maui to assist in the search on Sunday night and have offered a $10,000 reward for anyone with information that leads to their daughter's safe return











Police sealed off the parking lot where Eller's car was found, (left), and are dusting the vehicle for fingerprints. They say the Makawao Forest Reserve trail in Maui, (right), is a popular attraction for hikers and runners





Hundreds of volunteers (pictured) have been combing the island for the missing woman in a search that has included tracking dogs, helicopters and drones

Eller's parents offered a $10,000 reward Saturday for tips that help bring the missing hiker home, and asking anyone with information to contact Maui Crime Stoppers at 808-242-6966.

On Sunday Eller's mother Julia, who flew into Maui from her home in North Carolina to help with the search, told KITV4: 'This a mother's worst nightmare and  it has been an emotional roller-coaster.

'I've tried to stay positive. If I let myself get mired in self pity of how terrible this is, I can't help her if I'm caught up in that. 

'She is an inspiration to me, particularly since I've been on my own personal journey lately.' 

Julia said Eller is very close to her family and they are hoping their presence their will help put a focus on the search and possibly find her. 

She added: 'I never in a million years thought this would happen to me.'  




Eller's family met with police on Monday to discuss the next stage of the search. Her mom Julia, (fourth from left), said her disappearance is 'every mother's worst nightmare' 





Family friend Sarah Haynes said Eller is cheerful and well-loved, with no mental health issues or other reasons she may want to disappear or harm herself

Eller's family met with police on Monday to discuss the next stage of the search. 

They towed her car away from the scene to dust for fingerprints in hopes it will shed light on what happened to her. 

Eller's car key was hidden under the driver's side front tire, Haynes said. She claimed it would be typical she would unplug and run or hike without her phone.

Haynes claimed Eller is cheerful and well-loved, with no mental health issues or other reasons she may want to disappear or harm herself.

She added: 'If anyone out there knows anything that may have been done to her, please, we need to get her home.'

Friends worry that something suspicious may have happened to her in the parking lot or on the trail path.   

She is described as  approximately 5' 9", 145 lbs, with long brown hair and an athletic build. 

Police said there is currently no evidence of foul play.