Stranded 65-foot vessel freed from reef

Two days after running aground near the channel entrance to Lahaina Harbor, a Pacific Whale Foundation vessel returned to its mooring area Wednesday afternoon.

The 65-foot vessel Ocean Discovery, used in dinner cruises, went aground Monday afternoon.

The catamaran was pulled off the area where it became stuck at high tide at 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, said Paul Sensano, the state’s boating manager for Maui. Sensano said the vessel sustained some damage, and the foundation is expected to file a plan with the Coast Guard detailing how it will be towed to Honolulu for repairs.

State aquatics officials plan to conduct an assessment of reef damage Friday.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Lava flow is in a lull, official says

While no lava flow advancement was spotted during an overflight of the Pahoa area Wednesday morning, numerous breakout areas were taking shape.

"Right now, we appear to be in a bit of a lull with any kind of advancement or threat to the community. But there’s still evidence that lava is making its way towards the flow front," said Hawaii County Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira.

The leading edge or front of the farthest downslope flow area, which has traveled about 14 miles from Kilauea Volcano’s Puu Oo vent, was about a third of a mile from Highway 130 to the west or mauka of Pahoa’s police and fire stations. The flow front has not budged from that area for more than a week.

The lava flow, which got underway in late June, has started and stopped on many occasions since it first threatened the area in August before stopping about 480 feet from Pahoa Village Road. It has oozed across a street, consumed a Buddhist cemetery, destroyed multiple structures and set a home on fire in the rural community near Hawaii island’s eastern tip.