MAUI, Hawaii (KHON2) — The grounding of a commercial catamaran in one of Maui’s marine conservation areas after the recent winter storm has some calling for change.
“This is it,” Save Honolua Coalition Vice President John Carty said emphatically. “Line in the sand. No more commercial boats coming into Honolua Bay.”
The Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation confirmed that Hula Girl, a 65-foot commercial catamaran, ran aground in the Honolua-Mokuelia Marine Life Conservation District during the winter storm early Friday.
The Maui Fire Department said they escorted four crew members out of the bay around 3 a.m. According to MFD, the crew swam ashore after the catamaran began impacting the reef.
The Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation said the owner of Hula Girl is cooperating and the crew sought safety in the bay during the storm.
But Maui County Councilmember Tamara Paltin said she doesn’t understand why they would have taken the vessel there.
“Anybody that knows anything about the ocean knows that Honolulu Bay is not a safe haven during a Kona storm,” Paltin said. “This is one of the commercial vessels that takes tours to Honolua Bay regularly, and so, of all people, they should know better.”
DLNR said efforts are underway to salvage the vessel before it breaks apart and releases debris and pollutants into the bay.
Time is of the essence with a large swell expected to roll in Sunday.
This is the second time a vessel grounded at Honolua Bay in the past two years. In 2023, a luxury yacht hit the reef and was stuck for about two weeks, damaging the protected area.
“I think everyone in my community would like some answers and accountability. This is two times too many,” Paltin said.
“There are other MLCDs in the state of Hawaii that don’t allow commercial boating or boats at all,” Carty said. “So I don’t know why we would do anything different.”
He said turning Honolua into a cultural preserve would be the perfect way to protect the bay and honor its significance.
“When you talk to tourists, they really don’t want to have this type of impact, and they want to be respectful for the sacred sites,” Carty explained.