Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Sunday, April 28, 2024 78° Today's Paper


Top News

Large light bulb with Japanese writing is found on Hawaii isle

1/1
Swipe or click to see more
COURTESY: KRIZEK FAMILY
Curren Krizek holds a red light bulb with Japanese writing that he and his father found while walking on the beach at Kawaihae -- possibly marine debris from the 2011 Japanese tsunami. Several Japanese light bulbs have been reported in Hawaii waters. Photo courtesy of the Krizek family

More possible debris from the 2011 Japanese tsunami keeps bobbing up in Hawaii waters — the latest a large red light with Japanese writing discovered along the shore just north of Kawaihae Harbor on Hawaii island.

Kawaihae resident Kincaid Krizek said he was surprised no one noticed it.

“It was so bright and red,” Krizek said Thursday.

Krizek said he and his son Curren discovered the light bulb near sunset on Sept. 26.

He said the gooseneck barnacles attached to the light bulb were all alive and the bulb was put into a bucket was saltwater.

He said the barnacles died a couple of days later.

Krizek said he’s been a resident and surfer at Kawaihae since 1994 and has never seen red light bulbs bobbing in the ocean before the discovery in September.

He said he’s talked with a University of Hawaii researcher who told him that two other light bulbs were found in Hawaii waters, one on Kauai and another in the ocean.

A large light bulb with Japanese writing was also found near Kauakakai Harbor on Molokai on Sept. 21.

State officials plan to forward a photograph of Kincaid’s discovery to officials with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to determine if it is tsunami debris.

State land board spokeswomen Deborah Ward said NOAA has established a process to request assistance from Japan, especially if an owner might be identified.

“It is pretty amazing that the bulb is intact after what may have been a long voyage, no matter what its origin,” Ward said.

People who see suspected tsunami debris are asked to send an email to disasterdebris@noaa.

The public may also call the state land department’s main administrative office on Oahu at 587-0400.

Comments are closed.