Family Keeping Search Alive for Missing Camper Laura Vogel

March 12, 2010— -- A group of volunteer divers on the Hawaiian island of Maui are planning to search today for hiker Laura Vogel, who has been missing for nearly three weeks after telling friends she was going to camp out near a picturesque spot on the islands' north shore.

By all accounts Vogel was an experienced outdoor enthusiast. She was last heard from Feb. 21, while exploring the Maui coast near the Pauwela Lighthouse and what are called the birthing pools. Vogel sent a text message that night to a friend that read "I'm camped down the way from birthing pools and meeting all the locals."

According to Police they are still investigating, but have reportedly suspended actively searching for Vogel until more leads turn up.

"We know that Laura was with people the night she disappeared and we have yet to talk to those people. Biggest thing is to get information about her disappearance, we know people know what happened or at least who she was with and what she was doing," her sister-in–law Jessica Vogel said in an interview with ABC News.

Vogel had been in Maui for six months, working as a tutor and enjoying the outdoors, she told friends. Prior to moving to Hawaii she was a science teacher in her home state of New Mexico.

She "went out to Hawaii to spend time out there, she just loved it out there," Jessica said.

With a master's degree in wildlife biology, Vogel was known as an avid and experienced hiker and camper.

"She was just this very fun, loving person. She was a nature lover and all about good things," Jessica said.

The area where she disappeared from is a place she had visited many times before, but friends believe she had never camped overnight there.

According to investigators, near the area where Vogel had parked her car was a transient camp leading those searching for her to wonder if people in the camp were the "locals" she was referring to.