Steven Branston was 20 when he was last seen on August 5, 1996, in Honolulu. He had traveled to Hawaii that summer and was believed to be living homeless near the Honolulu Airport. His family says he struggled with schizophrenia and past substance abuse, and he had stopped taking prescribed medication before he vanished.

Branston had taken steps toward stability: his Social Security checks were being deposited into a local bank and he stored personal items, including identification and medication, in a rented locker. He was last observed trying to cash a check at a bank in Kaunakakai but could not complete the transaction because he lacked ID. Unconfirmed sightings on Oahu, Molokai and Kauai were reported through mid-1997, but none were verified. His bank showed no activity after his disappearance, and he is classified as endangered missing.

Anyone who knew Steven, saw him on the islands in 1996–1997, or has information about his whereabouts is asked to come forward.