EDITORIAL
Don't rush talks over fate of WW II sub

The recent discovery of a sunken Japanese midget submarine provides the missing link in the events that drew the United States into World War II. So naturally historians are eager to study this extraordinary artifact.

But right now, the fate of the minisub wreckage remains as murky as the water where it lies. The U.S. State Department says it is handling negotiations with Japan over jurisdiction of the wreckage, which most likely includes the remains of the crew.

Not surprisingly, U.S. interests in keeping the sub here are strong. One suitor is the National Park Service, which is naturally keen to add the sunken sub to its collection at the USS Arizona Memorial.

The remains of the two-man boat, which is said to have led a small sub fleet to Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, would certainly be a fitting addition to the USS Arizona Memorial exhibition.

If left in the water, the historic wreckage could disintegrate. Plus, there's the matter of removing the sub's still-dangerous torpedoes. Still, the resurrection could cost tens of millions of dollars, and it's unclear who will pay for it.

To further complicate matters, the state of Hawai'i could claim the sub wreckage lies in state waters.

Regardless of who claims jurisdiction over the submarine, the University of Hawai'i's undersea research laboratory must continue to have access to its discovery. This find has put the excellent UH undersea research program on the international map, so there should be no turning back from this work.

In the end, however, the decision may be to leave the sub where it has rested for more than half a century. But the continuing research work led by UH could produce a sensitive and compelling historical display somewhere within the larger Arizona Memorial complex.