Ronald B.D. Lee arrived home from the Mainland yesterday morning, alive and well after having gone missing on Dec. 5, his wife Linda said.

But details about the disappearance and reappearance of the 67-year-old retired postal worker remained sketchy.

Honolulu police Capt. Frank Fujii said police do not believe there was any criminal activity associated with the disappearance. But police declined to say how he was found, where he was found, and what he had been doing since his disappearance was reported.

The family has to "take care of some of the needs (Ronald Lee) has," he said. "And some of those things may be very personal in nature."

Linda Lee had earlier said she thought her husband was going out for a walk after a disagreement they had.

A tearful and grateful Linda Lee yesterday thanked the media and the public for their help.

Fujii said police do not believe Ronald Lee would be home if not for the publicity about his disappearance.

"You kept the story alive for us," Fujii told reporters. He declined to say where Lee was found, but noted that several phone calls were received from the Mainland.

Police spokeswoman Michelle Yu said later that while HPD does not know how long Lee was on the Mainland, "we believe that he was on O'ahu earlier and was not off island during the entire period that he was missing."

Linda Lee said her husband was home and resting yesterday. "Ronald is home and I plan to keep my promise. I plan to take care of him, and we are a family," she said.

Both Fujii and Linda Lee said it did not appear that Ronald Lee sustained any injuries during his disappearance.

"He needs some care and I'll do everything I can," she said.

Linda Lee has appeared on published and broadcast reports several times in tears, pleading for the public to come forward with information. Yesterday, she said she was overwhelmed by the support she received in recent weeks from complete strangers who recognized her and came up to wish her well, hug her, and promised to be on the lookout for her husband.

"For me, I've learned one thing," Linda Lee said. "If you have a loved one, just touch them every day because I missed touching Ron every day that he was gone."

The Pacific Palisades couple have no children.

When her husband disappeared, he left his home without his wallet, cash, credit cards or other identification. Police said he had no history of staying away from home and does not suffer from Alzheimer's disease or other dementia.

But his wife said he had a hearing problem that may have contributed to his not knowing people were looking for him.

Yu said police do not plan to assess the family any charges related to the police search.

Reach Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com.