Container that traveled through isle waters is gone, DLNR says

A large container spotted floating in waters off Windward Oahu last week is likely no longer in Hawaii waters, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said Monday.

The department last week had asked for the public’s help in finding the marine debris, which was first seen May 18 some 21 nautical miles past Molokai’s Ilio Point. The next day, the light-blue container was seen off Kaneohe; a third report showed it was floating up the Windward Coast.

By Friday the container, approximately 20 feet long, 8 feet wide and 8 feet tall, was seen in waters off southern Kauai, and by now has likely left Hawaii waters, said Debo­rah Ward, DLNR spokes­woman.

A fisherman reported seeing what could have been the object 5 to 10 miles off Nawiliwili Harbor, and there have been no further sightings reported, Ward said.

The department sought input from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Debris Program, and Ward said it is believed the container is well past Niihau.

"It’s a likely assumption," said Ward, based on wind and current statistics from the past week.

The container’s origin has not been determined.

Anyone who sees the container or other pieces of large marine debris off Hawaii shores should contact DLNR at 587-0400 or dlnr.marine.debris@hawaii.gov with the GPS position, time and date of the sighting.