Missing fisherman related to mother and baby who died in Kaimuki house fire

The Coast Guard and volunteers continued their search Tuesday for missing boater Matthew Moribe, who fell overboard Sunday morning 24 miles south of Oahu.

Friends of the 39-year-old and his new wife, Cherie Uchida-Moribe, are holding out hope for a miracle.

The two were married last month and had gone fishing Sunday, they say, when Mo­ribe went overboard while reeling in a fish.

The Moribe family lost two of its members five months ago in a fire. Mo­ribe’s sister, Connie Moribe Wharton, 33, and her 9-month-old daughter, Sophia Wharton, were killed Oct. 17 in a fire at their Kaimuki home.

Moribe is a retired technical sergeant of the Hawaii Air National Guard. He served as an integrated avionics craftsman in the 154th Maintenance Squadron.

He was awarded the Global War on Terrorism, Outstanding Unit Award and National Defense Service Medal for his more than 20 years of service with the National Guard.

Moribe and his brother, Jonathan, great-grandsons of Aala Meat Market founder Yee Tim Chong, began working for the family business as kids and continued into adulthood.

Uchida-Moribe called the Coast Guard for help, friends said.

The Coast Guard said the radio call came in at 11:51 a.m. Sunday from the 18-foot pleasure craft Amie C II.

She told the Coast Guard that she had secured the engine and went to get a flotation device from the boat’s cabin. When she returned, he was no longer visible.

Three good-Samaritan vessels immediately assisted in the search.

Coast Guard spokesman Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew West did not provide a fixed length of time for the search, saying there’s “no cookie cutter” timetable and that the Coast Guard is still focused on the search.

On Tuesday the Coast Guard used a 45-foot response boat, two cutters and an MH 65 Dolphin helicopter. The search covered 2,300 miles as of 11:30 a.m., West said.

Good-Samaritan boats have assisted throughout the search so far, including Tuesday, and good-­Samaritan air units also helped out Monday.

Moribe was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident. Seas were 8 feet at their peak, and winds were blowing at 28 mph, but West said he has no information on the actual conditions.

“Even in the best conditions, it can be dangerous,” he said.

Moribe was wearing a gray, long-sleeved shirt and boots.

West said there are personal emergency position­-indicating radio beacons, although he was not necessarily advocating their use.

Especially with spring break, the Coast Guard recommends oceangoers to use caution. “Always check the weather. Even if you are an experienced mariner, the sea can be dangerous, so we recommend using caution when dealing with it in all situations.”

“Make a float plan, and tell someone where you’re going and when you’re returning.”

He recommends boaters and surfers wear bright clothing so they stand out more.