NOAA: no tsunami debris at NW Hawaiian Islands NOAA: no tsunami debris at NW Hawaiian Islands ADVERTISING HONOLULU — Researchers who returned from a 24-day expedition to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands said the pristine coral reef systems there appear to
NOAA: no tsunami debris at NW Hawaiian Islands
HONOLULU — Researchers who returned from a 24-day expedition to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands said the pristine coral reef systems there appear to be healthy, thriving and safe from debris dragged to sea by the tsunami that hit Japan last year.
Scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, who returned from the trip Friday, found no widespread coral or fish disease outbreaks and no evidence of coral bleaching after conducting 472 dives and 138 reef surveys, the expedition’s chief scientist Scott Godwin said.
“You see a lot of sharks, which people think are bad, but a lot of healthy upper-level predators … is an indication of health that means there’s a lot there to support these larger species,” Godwin told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
The remote islands northwest of Hawaii’s main, populated islands are home to the country’s largest protected marine sanctuary.
Godwin said the protected status and extremely limited access to the islands have protected the area from human impact.
3 earthquakes rattle Ka‘u early Saturday
HONOLULU — No injuries were reported, but some people had their sleep interrupted when three earthquakes rattled Kau early Saturday.
The U.S. Geological Survey says a magnitude 3.9 earthquake hit off the coast of Kau at 2:26 a.m. Saturday.
The USGS says the quake was centered about 11 miles east southeast of Naalehu and 54 miles south southwest of Hilo.
A magnitude 2.0 earthquake struck in the same area about two minutes later.
A third quake, with a magnitude of 2.9, hit on the other side of the island in Kamuela at 4:24 a.m.
The Honolulu Star Advertiser reports (https://bit.ly/QfwzqA ) there were no reports of significant damage or injuries from any of the quakes.
Honolulu, Chinese city become sister-cities
HONOLULU — Honolulu has a new sister city relationship in China.
Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle and Mayor Zhuang Shaoqin of Fengxian District, Shanghai signed a new agreement establishing the relationship on Thursday.
Located along the coast in South Shanghai, Honolulu’s newest sister city has a population of more than 1 million. Like Honolulu, its boasts beaches, resorts and natural beauty that make it a popular visitor destination.
Honolulu now has 29 sister-cities, including four others in China.
