HONOLUA BAY, Maui — A luxury yacht owner is responding to a wave of online criticism after his vessel grounded near a Maui marine sanctuary on Monday, potentially causing extensive environmental damage to the area.
On Feb. 20, Jim Jones, the owner of Noelani Yacht Charters, mistakenly landed his 94-foot yacht, named the Nakoa, at Honolua Bay in northwest Maui.
The incident has caused a stir online, with countless numbers of social media users expressing outrage over the “irreparable damage” to the reef and sea life.
“Well of course, the rich doing what they do best — polluting the earth,” wrote one person under a Hawai‘i News Now Instagram story on the yacht.
“How about banning touring companies, who can’t respect the Hawaiian culture and ecosystem?” wrote another commenter.
In a Feb. 22 phone
interview with The Garden Island, Jones expressed disappointment over the “bad press” and “incorrect information” being circulated online.
“We’ve turned off all our social media,” he said. “It’s all negative. Me being a local Hawaiian, I expected more support,” adding that people have been putting his home address and pictures of his kids online.
“You’re complaining about it, come down and help us out,” he said of the critics. He noted that a handful of local people have been helpful in trying to free the yacht from the reef.
Jones explained that he was spending the day on the yacht with his family when its mooring line severed.
“We go there all the time, at least once a month,” he said, calling the incident a “freak accident” that happened while he and his family were under deck.
“It was at night and the wind was blowing, just happened to be blowing in that direction. It blew it right in there,” said Jones. “We didn’t have much time to react.”
According to a Feb. 21 press release from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, it’s “likely to be another few days” before the yacht is freed.
“The yacht cannot be removed until all fuel, batteries and any other pollutants on board are removed,” the department said in the release, noting the process may involve a helicopter.
Additionally, Jones is responsible for providing “an acceptable salvage plan,” and will be responsible for all costs.
DLNR reported that “a sheen of diesel fuel was leaking from the boat’s hull and was visible in surrounding water.” The sheen is no longer visible, but the smell of fuel is still in the air, according to the release.
DLNR also said they completed an initial underwater assessment of the area and estimated that 30 coral and live rock have been damaged by the yacht. Divers will “need to return to do a more thorough assessment once the vessel is removed,” the department said.
“Based on those findings, the boat’s owner could face significant penalties as determined by the state Board of Land and Natural Resources.”
Jones emphasized that his company is “very environmentally conscious” and is committed to working with the community to remove the yacht and restore the reef area.
“We’re not running away from this. We’re not leaving this here and letting everybody deal with it,” he said.
“We’re gonna be here until the end and, hopefully, it’s all gonna work out.”
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Emma Grunwald, reporter, can be reached 808-245-0441 or egrunwald@thegardenisland.com.
Just like he was there “until the end” to finish the construction job he walked off of after taking all our money, leaving us with no roof, walls or interior living space?! Never coming back even after the DCCA required him to? Not the best track record to date….
“hopefully, It’s all gonna work out”… already too late! Shoulda drained the diesel on Monday when ran aground and taken all the batteries and toxic fluids off, why take 3 days????? diesel is forever for the ecosystem, look at valdez. we are all tired of toxic spills and apologies afterwards by rich people when they do forever damage. how bout dont moor overnight on a 2hr day use mooring… 2hrs in the daytime you would be awake and monitoring position. not sleeping and blaming it on the wind. shouldnt been there. maybe ever think that’s why the 2 hr day use is the rule for the mooring? its offshore a marine reserve, must stay vigilant. oh didnt’ know about the rule? should know if you are a “professional” yachter? ridiculous. guy should be in jail. no come back.
Maybe you people with your aloha spirits should get your butts down to the bay and help! Dont call him a HAOLE! He is hawaiian! Dont put pics of his kids and wife on social media and make threats to his family! This is the only state in the US where americans call other Americans names! Makes me sick. And to the guy who wrote that reply. Learn how to talk