More Japan Tsunami Debris Washes Up on Island Shores

By Maui Now Staff

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources continues to respond to reports of possible Japan tsunami marine debris items arriving on island reefs and beaches.

On Thursday, April 23, 2015 a DLNR crew retrieved a 20-foot skiff at Sandy Beach on Oʻahu, bearing Japanese characters and vessel registration numbers.

Department officials say it’s the seventh boat reported since February this year, following six others that arrived on shores across Hawaiʻi. Three were on the Big Island on Hawaiʻi, at Kohanaiki, Kawaihae and Kawa Bay; one was overturned on Maui near the Aston Mahana; and two were reported on Oʻahu at Kahuku and Punaluʻu.

Last month, a large quantity of debris, including a Japanese market shopping basket, a plastic car bumper, many bits and pieces of colored plastic, and piles of knotted and twisted colored rope reportedly washed up on Maui’s Baldwin Beach.

DLNR officials say two large plastic bins were also reported this week, which bore identification marks that may be traceable to Japan. One was located at Kamilo Beach, Hawaiʻi and removed by volunteers of the Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund. The other was located on Kauaʻi at Larsen’s Beach.

Items with identification numbers, Japanese characters, are reported to NOAA which works with the Japan Consulate in Hawaiʻi to confirm provenance with the Government of Japan, according to information released by the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Items not claimed by the original owner may then be disposed of, said Deborah Ward, Public Information Officer with the DLNR.

To report large or unusual marine debris items, especially those that may have attached marine organisms, the public is asked to either email [email protected] and [email protected] or call DLNR at (808) 587-0400.

Skiff reported at Punaluu, Oahu, on 3-9-15. Photo by DLNR.

On Feb. 22, 2015 Hawaii Wildlife Fund Marine Debris volunteers picked up a 4′ x 6’ blue bin that reads “YK 287” and Sanko Co Ltd. Confirmation is pending if it is tsunami debris. Photo courtesy Hawai’i Wildlife Fund.

Boat retrieved from shoreline fronting the Aston Mahana Resort. Photo by DLNR.

Vessel found 2-27-15 at Kawa Bay, Hawaii island. Photo courtesy Nikolai Maximenko.

20′ fishing boat reported 2-14-15 at Kohanaiki, Hawaii island. Photo by DLNR.

Skiff on Kahuku golf course beach. Photo courtesy Lance Redding.

Overturned skiff reported Feb. 22, 2015 at beach near Kahuku Golf Course. Photo courtesy Lance Redding.

Overturned 20′ skiff at Alan Davis shore, Oahu, reported 4-22-15. Photo courtesy Nicole Woolsey and Ryan Tani.

Blue plastic bin reported at Larsen’s Beach, Kauai. Photo courtesy Surfrider Foundation.

Secured and ready for transport. Photo by DLNR.

Securing the vessel for transport. Photo by DLNR.

DLNR Land maintenance crew hauls the skiff from Alan Davis beach onto a trailer today (4-23-15). Photo by DLNR.