10/30/26 – HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS FOR KONA COAST AFTER SPERM WHALE CARCASS TOWED FROM HONOKŌHAU HARBOR
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JOSH GREEN, M.D. GOVERNOR |
RYAN K.P. KANAKAʻOLE |
KAILUA-KONA, Hawaiʻi – A sperm whale carcass first seen drifting along the Kona Coast Tuesday, October 27, may pose health and safety risks to boaters, fishers and beachgoers in the days to come.
After reaching the mouth of Honokōhau Harbor, the carcass was towed offshore Wednesday evening by officers with the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE), in collaboration with DLNR’s Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR), Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), Captain Zodiac Kona Chief Operating Officer Colin Cornforth – a trained responder with the Hawaiʻi Whale Entanglement Response Network, and other stakeholders. DLNR is not releasing the location of the carcass.
Hawaiian cultural practitioners with Kiaʻi Kanaloa advised DLNR staff on Tuesday and Wednesday as photos and video of the carcass spread widely on social media.
The carcass was in an advanced state of decomposition and pieces broke off before it was towed, creating hazardous conditions for ocea...