Kayak with no one aboard recovered

The Coast Guard recovered an unmanned red kayak about 1 mile south of Maunalua Bay on Wednesday and is asking for public’s help to find the vessel’s owner.

A boater in the area first spotted the empty Equinox kayak, adrift with two paddles and a seat inside, according to a news release issued by the Coast Guard.

The kayak was turned over to the Koko Marina harbormaster’s office, where it can be claimed by the owner. The Coast Guard is not actively searching for anyone, the release stated.

The release also noted that through the Operation Paddle Smart program, the Coast Guard offers a free "If Found" decal to be placed in a visible location on small, human-powered watercraft. The information on the sticker can be used to quickly identify the vessel’s owner and to aid in search-and-rescue efforts. The stickers can be obtained at local harbormasters, through the Coast Guard Auxiliary, from Honolulu Sail and Power Squadron offices, and at various marine retail and supply stores.

Anyone with information that may help identify the owner of the kayak is asked to contact the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu Command Center at 842-2600.

Ferry operator wants to build a new boat

A company that runs ferries between Maui and Lanai is asking state regulators for permission to build a $2.7 million replacement vessel to help keep up with demand.

Hone Heke Corp., the parent company of Expeditions, applied to the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission in December for approval to finance and build the ferry, the Maui News reported this week.

The commission, among other duties, has jurisdiction over all water transportation companies.

Hono Heke President Bill Caldwell said in the application that the company believes a new vessel will be needed before 2015 to meet increased demand.

Larry Ellison, the billionaire who owns the majority of land on Lanai, intends to overhaul its resorts, build new residences and take on other projects, Caldwell said.

Construction firms have already asked the ferry company about charter transportation for workers to Lanai, he added.

The two-story ferry would carry 149 passengers and be built in Washington state by Mavrik Marine Inc.

Hone Heke said in the application that it did not expect to change its operating schedule. The company has three ferries, operating 70 scheduled voyages per week, including five daily round trips between Lahaina and Manele, Lanai.

The new ferry would replace the company’s largest vessel, Expeditions 4.

The application said the ferry would take a year to 14 months to build.

The company said the $2.7 million cost of the vessel would be paid through a $2 million loan from Bank of Hawaii, plus the Capital Construction Fund, a federal program to help operators build or buy vessels.