When police determined that missing Hawaii woman Hannah Kobayashi had actually crossed into Tijuana, Mexico last month, her family knew what to do next. Attorney Sara Azari, working with Kobayashi's mother, Brandi Yee, and sister, Sydni Kobayashi, is taking matters into their own hands. As Azari spoke with PEOPLE on Wednesday, Dec. 4, two days after Los Angeles police announced they had reviewed video showing Hannah walking into Tijuana, it became clear that the search was far from over.

Family's Determination and the Police's Announcement

Police Chief Jim McDonnell said Hannah was alone with her luggage and appeared unharmed. Her case was classified as a voluntary missing person and will remain active in the missing and unidentified person's system until her safety is confirmed. Hannah initially vanished from the L.A. airport in mid-November after arriving from Maui and failing to board a flight to New York. Police still don't know why, but they have confirmed she spent several days in the L.A. area before heading to Mexico."We urge Ms. Kobayashi to contact her family, law enforcement or personnel at the U.S. Embassy to let us know that she is safe," McDonnell told reporters. Hannah's relatives will rely on online fundraising, and Azari encouraged concerned members of the public to donate.

The Family's Perspective and Concerns

Speaking with PEOPLE, Azari said the family won't wait for Hannah to contact them. "I plan on getting people involved both through the State Department and in Mexico. This has to be escalated as we last knew she was in Tijuana and Baja," Azari said. "God knows if she's still there and safe as a lot of time has passed. But we need to start there unless we get leads she might be elsewhere."The family is shocked and distressed by the police investigation. They don't agree with the LAPD's conclusion that Hannah is voluntarily missing. "There was no distress, no argument, no animosity. None of this makes sense," Azari said. Volunteers put up flyers of Hannah outside Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

The First Steps and Challenges

As for the first step, Azari said it is to get Mexican media involved to raise public awareness. "From there, whether we get volunteers or a bounty hunter or a combination, I'm not sure," she said. Azari also questioned investigators who said Hannah had previously talked of wanting to "disconnect." "She's never disconnected from her family and just ran off," she insisted.Police were asked to comment on the family's criticism during their news conference. "We've really left no stone unturned and it's led us to this conclusion," said Alan Hamilton, the chief of detectives. McDonnell said they have not determined any crime has been committed and she's not a suspect in any criminal activity.As Hannah's family focuses on Mexico, serious concerns remain. "Somehow that makes it just because she's alive that she's safe," Azari said.