A Routine Fishing Trip Turns Tragic

On the morning of July 3, 2016, three close friends—Clint Oshima, Derek Tomas, and Jensen Loo—departed from Haleiwa Boat Harbor on Oahu’s North Shore aboard a 20-foot vessel named the Iwa. The trio, all 30 years old and experienced fishermen, were expected to return by 5 p.m. When they failed to do so, concerned family members alerted the authorities, initiating a large-scale search operation.

Discovery of the Overturned Vessel

The following day, July 4, the U.S. Coast Guard located the Iwa overturned approximately 25 miles off the coast of Haleiwa. Despite the extensive search efforts, there was no immediate sign of the missing men. The Coast Guard, along with the Navy and Honolulu Fire Department, continued their search, covering vast areas of the ocean in hopes of finding the fishermen.

Recovery of Two Bodies

On July 8, the bodies of Derek Tomas and Jensen Loo were discovered off the coast of Kauai. Autopsies confirmed their identities, providing some closure to their grieving families. However, Clint Oshima remained missing, leaving his family and friends in a state of uncertainty and despair.

Suspension of the Search

Despite exhaustive efforts, the search for Clint Oshima was officially suspended on July 10, 2016. The decision was made after days of aerial and maritime searches yielded no new information. The lack of evidence or sightings left many questions unanswered about the circumstances leading to the tragedy....Read More