Local News

Officials Responding To Oil Spill From Cargo Ship In Hawaii

Hawaiʻi Public Radio | By The Associated Press

Published November 7, 2019 at 4:07 PM HST

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A Coast Guard MH-65 Helicopter crew flies over impacted areas after an oil discharge from vessel Kamokuiki at Pier 19 in Honolulu, Nov. 07, 2019.

U.S. Coast Guard courtesy of Sector Honolulu

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Two response vessels arrived on scene and deployed 1600 feet of hard boom surrounding the 25 bales of absorbent material.

U.S. Coast Guard courtesy of Sector Honolulu

The U.S. Coast Guard says a cargo ship has spilled oil into Honolulu Harbor.

Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class James Connor says local and federal officials are working on cleanup Thursday after a 433-foot (132-meter) container ship spilled oil a day earlier during a fueling operation.

It is not immediately clear how much oil spilled or how much fuel the vessel holds. It's owned by the U.S. shipping company Matson Inc.

Absorbent material was placed around the ship and about 120 gallons of oil has been recovered so far.

A Coast Guard flight confirmed oil has leaked outside a containment area and is washing ashore across the harbor on Sand Island. Officials say there are no reports of wildlife being injured.