On May 20, 2026, 61-year-old Joseph Correia III, known to friends and family as "Chips," embarked on a solo fishing trip from Waianae, Hawaii, a journey from which he would not return. He set out early in the morning from the Waianae Small Boat Harbor on his 19-foot boat, the 'Chop Suey'. Concerns for his safety arose the following day, May 21, when the harbormaster noticed Mr. Correia's truck and boat trailer were still parked at the boat ramp. This discovery prompted an immediate and large-scale search operation for the missing fisherman.
The United States Coast Guard initiated an extensive search of the waters off the leeward coast of Oahu. The multi-day operation involved numerous assets, including an HC-130 Hercules airplane, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, and the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Gerczak. The search pressed on despite challenging conditions with strong winds and high seas. On Sunday, May 24, a breakthrough occurred when a good Samaritan discovered a partially submerged vessel approximately 16 to 19 miles off the Waianae coast. Friends of Mr. Correia confirmed that the vessel was indeed his boat, the 'Chop Suey', which was then recovered and towed back to the harbor.
Despite the discovery of his boat, there was no sign of Joseph Correia III. The intensive search continued, with Coast Guard and Navy crews covering over 178,000 square miles over a combined 122 hours. Ultimately, after exhausting all efforts, the active search was officially suspended on the evening of May 26, 2026. In a heartfelt statement, Mr. Correia's family expressed their profound gratitude to the Waianae fishing community and all the official agencies and volunteers involved in the search. They shared that he had gone fishing with the generous intention of providing his catch for a cousin's celebration of life, an act that reflected the caring way he lived. The case remains a sorrowful mystery, marking the disappearance of a beloved community member who set out to sea and vanished.
Last Seen: May 20, 2026
