Fifteen boats grounded on Maui over the past year as a result of a series of powerful storms, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

What You Need To Know

  • A DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation official said strong winds were a major factor in the groundings

  • The groundings started with the infamous luxury yacht, “Nakoa,” which damaged more than 100 coral colonies

  • Currently, DOBOR is dealing with “Chaparral," a former Navy torpedo boat, which grounded on the sand outside of a condominium in North Kihei

  • On Friday, DOBOR awarded a $841,820 contract to Sea Engineering, Inc., to salvage “Chaparral.” The cost ended up being significantly higher than originally expected

“We believe weather conditions, largely 50-60 mile-per-hour winds, were in most cases, contributing causes of the 15 groundings,” said DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation Assistant Administrator Meghan Statts in a news release. 

DLNR said 15 is more groundings than in prior years, comparing it with just two groundings in 2022 and nine grounds in 2021. The tally of 15 groundings does not include the 80 boats damaged or destroyed in the Lahaina fire, according to DLNR.  

The groundings started with the infamous luxury yacht, “Nakoa,” which grounded on the shoreline between Honolua Bay and Lipoa Point on Maui’s west side. 

The grounding damaged more than 100 coral colonies and over 1,900 square yards of live rock. It took nearly two weeks to free the vessel, which was deliberately sunk and remains on the seabed. 

The Board of Land and Natural Resources gave the boat owners $117,471.97 in penalties and fines six months ago. 

However, the boat owners have failed to pay. 

Currently, DOBOR is dealing with “Chaparral,” a former Navy torpedo boat that grounded on the sand outside of a condominium in North Kihei, and the “Expeditions Lanai Ferry,” which grounded Monday morning outside the Maalaea Small Boat Harbor.

Boat owners who use the state’s small boat harbors are legally required to have insurance. 

However, some don’t. 

With the “Chaparral,” the owners apparently walked away after the grounding, which means the DOBOR boating special fund will cover the salvage costs.  

On Friday, DOBOR awarded a $841,820 contract to Sea Engineering, Inc., to salvage “Chaparral.” 

The cost ended up being significantly higher than originally expected because it was discovered there still may be hazardous materials on the “Chaparral,” which required finding a salvage company that could implement best management practices to ensure nothing leaks into the ocean. 

“No tax dollars are expended for state-supported salvages, as the (boating special) fund is entirely from user fees. Unfortunately, the salvage of the ‘Chaparral’ will completely deplete that fund, so we’re really hoping there are no more groundings until it is restored,” said Ed Underwood, the DOBOR administrator.

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.

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