65ft catamaran removed from Maui conservation area
Mar 15, 2025
HONOLUA BAY, Hawaii (KHON2) -- After nearly two months, the 65-foot catamaran that ran aground during the January winter storm has been removed from Maui’s Honolua-Mokulē‘ia Marine Life Conservation District.
The Department of Natural Resources announced the Hula Girl made its long-awaited e
xit on Friday, March 14.
Frustrations flare as catamaran sits on reef in Maui conservation area
DLNR officials said January's winter storm system and a compromised motor led to the sailing vessel's undoing when it was dragged onto Honolua Bay's rocky shoreline.
Cates Marine Service, LLC took on the challenging test, battling high winds, inclement weather and uncooperative tides to tug Hula Girl free from the rocks.
Crews spent Thursday, March 12 and Friday, March 13 to make final preparations.
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"Once the lines were connected between the [Foss Marine tug] and Hula Girl, the catamaran didn't put up too much of a fight. The sailing vessel was successfully freed within an hour," the DLNR said in a news release.
A DAR dive team conducted an initial damage assessment to the bay and suggested that no coral, fish or invertebrates were harmed.
Officials added that at least initially, no fuel or oil was spilled and no reef was scarred.
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The Hula Girl will now undergo a designating mooring offshore at Māla small boat ramp before it is towed to Oahu. ...read more read less