Joseph Correia III, 61 and known as Chips, went missing after a solo fishing trip from Waianae, Hawaii. He left the Waianae Small Boat Harbor on his 19-foot boat Chop Suey on May 20, 2026, and did not return. His truck and trailer were found at the ramp the next day, prompting an immediate large-scale search.

The Coast Guard and Navy conducted an extensive multi-day operation despite strong winds and high seas. Assets included an HC-130 Hercules, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, and the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Gerczak. On May 24 a partially submerged vessel was found 16 to 19 miles off Waianae and identified by friends as Chop Suey; the boat was recovered but Joseph was not aboard. Active searching was suspended the evening of May 26 after crews covered over 178,000 square miles across 122 hours.

Joseph’s family said he had gone fishing to provide catch for a cousin’s celebration of life. Does anyone who knew Joseph or his boating routes have information that might help explain what happened that day?