State boating division responds to several boat groundings after major winter storm

Crews from the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation were out statewide, in full force, Friday dealing with the impacts of Hawai‘i’s latest severe weather event.

Their response included managing several boat groundings — and one sunken vessel — throughout the state, including on Kaua‘i, the Big Island and Maui.

A vessel sunk in the waters of Hilo Bay off the Big Island’s east side. The Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation reports its owner is assessing the situation and working with division staff to remove it.

The Kaua‘i grounding involved a 30-foot vessel that found itself on the rocks within the Nāwiliwili Small Boat Harbor in Līhuʻe. Its owner was able to secure the vessel and safely move it into a harbor slip.

Staff members are coordinating salvage of 3 other grounded boats on Maui.

Most notable is the grounding of 65-foot catamaran Hula Girl, which ran aground overnight Thursday in the Honolua-Mokulē‘ia Marine Life Conservation District on the northwest side of Maui.

The vessel’s owner reportedly sought safety in the bay during the storm and ended up on the shoreline.

Hula Girl’s owner is fully cooperating with the state Land Department’s boating division to develop a salvage plan and remove the boat, with close attention to preventing damage to sensitive coral reef structures in the area.

Work will be done after consultation and in collaboration with the state Land Department’s Division of Aquatic Resources, which has responsibility for protection of coral reefs in state waters.

U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Team Maui personnel were also at the scene, assessed the area and reported no signs of pollution.

The Coast Guard also is working closely with the Hawai‘i Department of Health Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response Office, as well as the state Land Department, to monitor the situation and mitigate any hazards to the environment.

The beach and waters in the surrounding area remain open, but people should maintain awareness of any potential signs of pollution such as strong smells of diesel or discoloration on the surface of the water.

The other Maui groundings included the power boat Hinatea, which ran ashore on the beach near Kamaole Beach Park One in Kīhei.

State boating division staff are working to reach the owner to arrange removal.

The third Maui Nui grounding was on Moloka‘i and involved a 28-foot trimaran that went adrift off Kaunakakai Harbor. Boating division officials reported the boat’s owner died.

Staff were working to secure the vessel.

In light of the groundings, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation Administrator Meghan Statts reiterated that boat owners and operators should pay attention to weather forecasts, avoid going out in advance of storms and check that their lines are secure in harbors or while tied to moorings.