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Kokua Line June Watanabe |
State plans to remove
Waianae shipwreckQuestion: A boat has been marooned on the beach at the Waianae Army Recreation Center since November. Many of us swimmers use the area, and it's ridiculous to see the sailboat, which looks like the boat on "Gilligan's Island," on the beach for months, taking up space. With summer approaching, we've got to get that boat moved out. Can you find out what's happening?
Answer: Officials from the state Department of Land & Natural Resources have been trying since January to track down the owner, who is said to have fled the island.
"The vessel is officially impounded by the State of Hawaii," William Aila, Waianae Harbor agent for DLNR, told "Kokua Line."
To comply with the law, officials were planning to place a legal ad this week "describing its disposition," Aila said. "After June 24 the vessel will be eligible for removal." He promised it would be removed as soon after that as possible.
He said the 26-foot fiberglass sailboat has been on the beach fronting the Waianae Army Recreation Center since January, not November. Because it washed ashore "at the wash of the high-water line," it is considered under state jurisdiction.
Asked how it ended up there, Aila said, "The vessel suspiciously left its slip early in the morning and exited the harbor at a period when we had high surf." The rough surf then tossed it onto the beach, its keel ripped and a large portion of its hull destroyed on its way in, according to Aila.
With its bottom "totally gone," it cannot be floated back out to sea.
The owner had not been paying slip fees and did not respond to the fact that his boat had landed ashore, Aila said, adding that he disappeared about the same time that the boat became shipwrecked.
He said he tried tracking the owner down at four different addresses, a lengthy process to meet legal obligations that proved unsuccessful.
Also delaying the boat's removal was the decision to run just one legal ad for several vessels in the state's possession, instead of just one for this boat. "We are in the process of consolidating all of those vessels into one advertisement," Aila said.
Mahalo
To all those who helped me after I sustained a serious surfing injury off Fort DeRussy on Sunday, May 4. Fortunately, two other surfers pushed me all the way to the beach and even encouraged me as the lifeguards administered first aid. I didn't get their names, but want to give them a big mahalo and wish them God's blessing. I could have easily died without their help. It's encouraging to know that most surfers are looking out for the safety of their fellow surfers in the water. Thanks also to Hale Koa lifeguards and EMT paramedics, not to mention Queen's Hospital for their expert care. -- Jonathan Hoag
Auwe
To the state for closing the Honolulu-bound H-3 last Saturday during the daylight hours. I had to travel into the gridlock of Kaneohe town to go into Honolulu from Kailua. It took me an hour. Please close the freeway during the night like it was done in the past. -- Michael Nomura
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Useful phone numbers
Got a question or complaint?
Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
E-mail to kokualine@starbulletin.com