Research vessel runs aground near Maalaea
Kahului firefighters assisted the Coast Guard with evacuation of a Pacific Whale Foundation catamaran that was grounded near Maalaea Harbor on Tuesday morning, Maui County fire officials said.
No injuries were reported, and no hazardous materials were released into the ocean, officials said. However, the vessel sustained damage to one of its hulls.
The 64-foot Ocean Odyssey left Maalaea Harbor at about 4:30 a.m. and headed for Ko Olina on Oahu. The vessel struck a reef about a quarter-mile east of McGregor Point, according to officials.
Fire crews evacuated the catamaran’s four crew members. Officials said the catamaran’s captain stayed behind to await salvage operations.
2 lost hikers, dog rescued from Iao Valley
Maui firefighters rescued two Kihei women and their dog Tuesday morning from Iao Valley after they became lost while hiking, county fire officials said.
The women, both in their 40s, spent the night in the valley.
The hikers were cold and hungry but not injured, officials said. No medical treatment was needed.
Officials said that Wailuku and Kahului firefighters received an alarm at 9:56 p.m. Monday that two hikers were overdue. A friend of the women found their vehicle in the Iao Valley State Park parking lot and called 911.
A ground search ensued until midnight, and the department helicopter was dispatched Tuesday morning at first light.
Rescuers in the helicopter spotted the hikers near a stream and flew them, along with their dog, to the state park’s parking lot.
