Sperm whale carcass drifting along Kona Coast could post health risks to beachgoers, boaters, fishers
A sperm whale carcass first seen drifting along the Kona Coast on Oct. 27 may pose health and safety risks to boaters, fishers and beachgoers in the days to come, according to the Hawaiʻi State Department of Land and Natural Resources.
After reaching the mouth of Honokōhau Harbor, the carcass was towed offshore Wednesday evening by officers with the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement in collaboration with other state divisions and Captain Zodiac Kona Chief Operating Officer Colin Cornforth, a trained responder with the Hawaiʻi Whale Entanglement Response Network.
The location of the carcass is not being released.
Hawaiian cultural practitioners with Kiaʻi Kanaloa advised DLNR staff about the carcass on Tuesday and Wednesday as photos and video of it spread widely on social media.
The carcass was in an advanced state of decomposition and pieces broke off before it was towed, creating hazardous conditions for ocean users along the Kona Coast. Many people were seen in the water next to the carcass, handling pieces and taking pieces away even as large numbers of sharks began to feed on it.
Decomposing whales can carry zoonotic diseases, which spread from animals to people. Storm systems passing over Hawaiʻi, as well as wind and strong currents could push pieces of the carcass back toward shore. The public is advised to stay out of the water near any pieces of whale carcass, and to not approach by boat, board or swimming.
“Whales such as this palaoa (sperm whale) are considered Akua Kanaloa and therefore require the utmost reverence, even in these times of transition where they return to the Kanaloanuiākea,” said Roxy Keliʻikipikāneokolohaka, who holds a doctorate in education and serves as executive director of Kiaʻi Kanaloa.
“In these times, appropriate cultural behavior is expected, which is to know your place in this realm of Kanaloa, to let nature, nature, and to not be mahaʻoi (disrespectfully intrusive) by diving near or through the remains and to leave all iwi (bones) and niho (teeth) alone.”
Any part of the whale, whether still attached to the carcass or found on its own in the areas where the carcass was seen, is protected under state law and the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act. Removing any body parts or bones is illegal.
Anyone who sees the carcass is asked to call the NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline at 1-888-256-9840.
