Boat that may be tsunami
debris shows up on Oahu
HONOLULU — A boat that may have washed out to sea during last year’s tsunami in Japan has shown up on Oahu’s windward coast.
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources said Monday a Punaluu family found the 24-foot boat and carried it upstream to their home.
The department says green mussels considered an invasive species in Hawaii were found on the boat. Staff plan to return Thursday to search the area where the boat was found to see if any mussels were dislodged.
Staff plan to take the boat to the department’s Halawa baseyard for cleaning and examination.
The department is working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Japanese consulate to identify an owner. The Punaluu family may claim the boat if the owner doesn’t want it.
Neighbor islands to
hold Inouye memorials
HONOLULU — Maui and the Big Island will hold memorial services for the late Sen. Daniel Inouye later this week.
Inouye’s office says a memorial will be held for the senator at Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo on Thursday. On Saturday, a memorial will be held at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center in Kahului.
Kauai County announced last week a memorial would be held for the senator at Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall in Lihue on Friday.
About 1,000 people attended a service for Inouye at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu on Sunday.
Inouye died last Monday at the age of 88.
Gabbard applies to
succeed Inouye in Senate
HONOLULU — U.S. Rep.-elect Tulsi Gabbard is applying to succeed the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye.
The Democrat said in a statement Monday she learned in the military that leadership means volunteering for tough, important assignments. Gabbard served in Iraq with the Hawaii National Guard.
Voters in Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District elected Gabbard last month to represent them in the U.S. House.
State Democrats plan to meet today to settle on a list of three candidates for Gov. Neil Abercrombie to consider. Inouye had said his last wish was for U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa to succeed him.
Several Democrats are seeking the job, including Hanabusa, Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz, former U.S. Rep. Ed Case and Department of Land and Natural Resources Deputy Director Esther Kiaaina.
By wire sources
