Well-traveled pooch Hokget heads to O'ahu home Friday
By Jan Tenbruggencate
Advertiser Kaua'i Bureau
LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Hokget the freighter fido will leave quarantine on Kaua'i Friday for a new life as a family dog.
KauaÎi Humane Society photo
The terrier is being adopted by the family of Michael Kuo of Honolulu, a friend of Hokget's former owner. Her 120-day quarantine has been spent in a spacious room at the Kaua'i Humane Society shelter at Kipu, where she has been a favorite of tourists and school groups.
Hokget was stranded on a derelict tanker for more than three weeks in April.
Hokget was the pet of the skipper of the Taiwanese tanker Insiko, which plied the Pacific providing fuel and provisions to fishing fleets. A shipboard fire killed one crew member and left the tanker powerless and adrift.
When the crew was rescued, Hokget got left behind. Hawai'i animal-lovers learned of the abandonment and the Hawaiian Humane Society led a massive effort to relocate the tanker and save the dog. Individuals such as Honolulu resident Regina Kawananakoa also pitched in to help pay for the search.
Hokget was alone on the ship from April 2 to 26, but finally rescued and delivered to her quarantine residence by veterinarian Becky Rhoades, director of the Kaua'i Humane Society.
Rhoades will once again accompany the dog Friday from Kaua'i to her new home on O'ahu.
The Hawaiian Humane Society is scheduling a press conference on Hokget's arrival in Honolulu before the animal is turned over to the Kuo family to launch the next phase of an exciting life.
Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 245-3074.
