KAILUA-KONA —DLNR officials are urging swimmers and surfers to stay out of the water near Kohanaiki Beach Park days after a fishing boat ran aground at the popular North Kona surf spot.
The 39-foot powerboat “Hoku Kea” ran aground Friday evening near Kohanaiki, also known as Pine Trees, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources said Monday. The beach was subsequently closed because of fuel leaking from the boat onto the immediate area of the beach; debris was also found in the area.
The beach area will remain closed until the boat and any hazardous materials are removed. DLNR spokeswoman Deborah Ward said salvage operations are expected to begin this week to remove the vessel.
The “Hoku Kea” is owned by Hoku Boats LLC. The owner had pollution insurance, which hired PENCO to remove 400 gallons of diesel, a few quarts of oil and seven batteries on Sunday morning. They have also signed a contract with Cates International, which will be on site Tuesday morning to begin the salvage removal process.
The vessel owner was cited by DLNR for operating a vessel without a valid boating safety certificate required by state boating rules. The rule, which DLNR began to enforce in November 2014, requires to show proof on demand of successful completion of an approved boating safety course.
Fines for a rule violation will be not less than $50 and not more than $1,000 or sentencing to a term of imprisonment of not more than 30 days, or both, for each violation; the court may also prevent an individual from operating a vessel in state waters for up to 30 days.
The department did not identify the person cited.
Messages left with Hoku Boats LLC were not returned as of press time Monday.