Maui News

Update: Hula Girl catamaran grounding is one of three vessels run aground in Maui County

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The commercial Hula Girl sailing vessel rests on shore at Honolua Bay this morning. Courtesy photo

The charter sailing vessel Hula Girl’s grounding at Honolua Bay in West Maui is one of three vessels that have run ashore in Maui County as the result of recent stormy weather, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

The department’s Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation reports its staff is coordinating the salvage of five groundings statewide: three on Maui, one on Kaua‘i and one on Hawai‘i Island.

The other Maui County groundings included a power boat, Hinatea, which went ashore on the beach near Kamaole Beach Park One in Kīhei.

Boating division staff is “working to reach the owner to arrange removal,” according to a news release. The third Maui County grounding was on Moloka‘i, and it involved a 28-foot trimaran that went adrift off Kaunakakai Harbor. The Boating Division previously reported that the boat’s owner had passed away.

“Staff are working to secure the vessel once strong winds abate,” the department news release says.

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It says the “most notable” grounding is the 65-foot catamaran, Hula Girl, which ran aground overnight in the Honolua-Mokulē‘ia Marine Life Conservation District.

“The vessel’s owner reportedly sought safety in the bay during the storm and ended up on the shoreline,” the news release says.

Boat owner Peter Woods told Maui Now this morning that there were no injuries when the boat went aground Thursday night during the storm. He said he’s working with the US Coast Guard and an insurance company and had no further comment. Fuel was being drained from the vessel as a precaution.

“We’re working with the powers that be,” he said.

In the department’s news release, the Boating Division staff said the “owner of Hula Girl has been fully cooperating to develop a salvage plan to remove the boat with close attention to preventing damage tp sensitive coral reef structures in the area.”

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Work will be done after consultation and in collaboration with the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources, which has responsibility for protection of coral reefs in state waters, the department reported.

Coast Guard Marine Safety Team Maui personnel were also on scene, assessed the area and reported no signs of pollution. 

“We are working closely with the State Department of Health Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response Office and the DLNR to monitor the situation and mitigate any hazards to the environment,” the Boating Division said. “The beach and waters in the surrounding area remain open, but people should maintain awareness of any potential signs of pollution such as strong smells of diesel or discoloration on the surface of the water.”

The Kaua‘i grounding involved a 30-foot vessel on the rocks within the Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor in Līhuʻe. Its owner was able to secure the vessel and safely move it into a slip in the harbor.

On Hawai‘i Island, a vessel sunk in Hilo Bay. The Boating Division reports that its owner is currently assessing the situation and working with staff to remove it.

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In light of the boat groundings, boat owners and operators were cautioned and advised to pay attention to weather forecasts, avoid going out in advance of storms and check that their lines are secure in harbors or while tied to moorings.

The Maui Girl is reportedly normally moored off of Māla Wharf, which West and South Maui Sen. Angus McKelvey has proposed to shift operations and maintenance from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to Maui County.

An item posted on Instagram by community activist Kai Nishiki says the grounding demonstrates that it’s “time to ban commercial boats from our sacred bay for good!”

A wide-view photo shows Hula Girl grounded at Honolua Bay this morning. Courtesy photo

“How is the well-being and profits of a commercial vessel taking priority over the protection of our conservation areas? Hewa! No excuses,” the post says.

According to its website, SailingMaui.com, Hula Girl is a “high-performance sailing restaurant and bar.” The company also provides private charters with its other boat, Shangrila.

Editor’s note: This post has been updated from an earlier version to include information provided by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Brian Perry
Brian Perry worked as a staff writer and editor at The Maui News from 1990 to 2018. Before that, he was a reporter at the Pacific Daily News in Agana, Guam. From 2019 to 2022, he was director of communications in the Office of the Mayor.
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