A government crew was unable to move a whale carcass today from the rocky shore near Kahuku Point. Another attempt will be made Tuesday.

The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources tried to use heavy equipment and ropes and pulleys to heft the whale onto a truck today and remove it.

On Tuesday, they will try to bring a crane to help.

The 8- to 10-ton whale carcass washed up onto a lava ledge June 29.

The animal is on private property, said Deborah Ward, DLNR spokeswoman.

"It is too far decomposed to haul it back out to sea," Ward said. "The whale will break up when it gets over the reef."

There had been fears that moving it in the ocean would attract sharks to the area.