The Hawai'i Board of Land and Natural Resources came to a unanimous decision, finalizing a $30,448.67 settlement with Kapalua Kai Sailing, Inc. for the unfortunate mishap that left the vessel Hula Girl aground in a protected marine area. The vessel, a staple of the charter company based in Lahaina, encountered a series of unexpected events leading it to disrupt the aquatic environment near Maui on January 31, according to a press release from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).
Details surrounding the grounding of the Hula Girl indicate, as the captain reported, that the vessel was moored overnight at Honolua Bay when a waterspout and large waves combined forces to sever its mooring lines, leading to a loss of steering and its eventual stranding. The impact on the reef itself was minimal, but the salvage operations unfortunately proved somewhat more detrimental, causing significant damage to the hardbottom habitat within the bay. Dragging the 65-foot catamaran left two distinct parallel scars over the benthic habitat, which accounted for most of the 48 square meters of live rock damage. BLNR Chair Dawn Chang highlighted the company's cooperative behavior following the incident, "The board also considered other mitigating factors, including the proactive measures taken by Kapalua Kai Sailing during the grounding to avoid fuel and debris discharge, and during removal to minimize impacts to marine resources," as mentioned in the same press release.
Subsequent actions by Kapalua Kai Sailing were deemed responsible and mitigating by the land board, which influenced the settlement figure; the fine aims to cover the restoration of the affected marine life, specifically the 36 stony coral specimens, and the expenses related to the investigation. Chang further expressed her appreciation for Kapalua Kai Sailing's approach, stating that "we appreciate Kapalua Kai Sailing’s cooperation throughout this process, and their desire to compensate the people of Hawai‘i for the unintended damage to our natural resources on public lands," as noted by the DLNR. These sentiments reflect a broader community concern for the protection of the treasured Honolua-Mokulē‘ia Bay Marine Life-Conservation District.
The settlement amount is a calculated sum of the allegedly damaged natural resources, which stands at an estimated $22,520, and administrative costs tallying up to $7,928.67—a nod to the company's endeavor to mitigate the damages, proactive behavior, and costly efforts to restore the precious resources belonging to the public.
