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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 5:27 p.m., Sunday, December 31, 2006

No pollution reported from grounded fishing vessel

Advertiser Staff

The Coast Guard continues to monitor the removal of fuel from a fishing vessel that ran aground at 7:15 p.m. Friday evening at Kawaihoa Point, near the southern tip of Ni'ihau.

Two men aboard the 44-foot Wahine Kepaloa II were air lifted off Ni'ihau by a Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter. Neither man reported injuries. The vessel remains aground and breaking up, according to the Coast Guard, which is working in cooperation with the Hawaii State Department of Health and the Robinson family, which owns the island.

The Coast Guard said an investigator reported no signs of pollution and no visible effect on marine life or birds in the immediate area after a comprehensive assessment early today.

The removal of the pollutants include an estimated 400 gallons of diesel fuel, the Coast Guard reported.