Restrictions Remain in Place for Maui Vessel Defueling

HONOLULU, HI – Today, DLNR in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), and Maui Police Department (MPD), are maintaining the closure of the dirt road near Līpoa Point off Honoapi‘ilani Highway.

The USCG is using a private contractor, to defuel the 94-foot-long luxury yacht, Nakoa, which grounded on Monday outside the Honolua-Mokulē‘ia Bay Marine Life Conservation District.

The grounded vessel’s location on rocks below a cliff is requiring the use of a helicopter to lift barrels of fuel from the boat, over the dirt road, and onto land where it’s being transported offsite.

The DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) continues to provide ocean safety support, including a moving perimeter around the Nakoa as needed.

Mariners and ocean users are advised to continue avoiding Honolua Bay and Mokulē‘ia Bay, as access may be restricted. MPD continues to

block the dirt road at Līpoa Point to keep people safe during the defueling operation.

Līpoa Point, Honolua Bay, Mokulē‘ia Bay, and the surrounding waters are treasured areas to Maui residents and the goal of DLNR and its partners is to keep everyone safe during this high-risk operation.

All three agencies, along with the contractor, are working to remove the vessel as quickly as possible so that no further harm is done to the bay, and access can be restored.