Inexperienced boaters advised to skirt gale
The National Weather Service has extended a gale warning for the Alenuihaha Channel through 6 a.m. today. In addition, a small-craft advisory will be in effect from 6 a.m. today until 6 a.m. Tuesday.
A gale warning means that winds of 34 to 47 knots are imminent or occurring. Mariners without the proper vessel and experience are advised to remain in port until the gale conditions end.
The Alenuihaha Channel separates Maui from Hawaii island.
Tradewinds will continue today, and a light rainfall is expected through midweek. Trades will strengthen and showers will increase later in the week as a surface trough approaches from the east, the weather service said.
Protesters miss arrival of ship
A day after protesters blocked its landing on Molokai, an American Safari Cruises ship was able to dock at Kaunakakai early Sunday morning.
On Saturday, protesters in boats and on surfboards blocked the 145-foot expedition boat Safari Explorer and its 30 passengers from entering Kaunakakai Harbor.
Since October, American Safari has been offering seven-night luxury cruises around the Hawaiian Islands, including two days at Molokai. During two previous trips, protesters concerned about increased tourism met the vessel on shore without incident.
Sunday’s arrival surprised protesters, who believed the company had suspended the tours until both sides had an opportunity to resolve their concerns.
"Protesters scrambled out of bed to get down to the wharf to see the same ship they had stopped the day before now docked and unloading passengers," said Walter Ritte, one of the protest leaders, in an email to local news media.
According to Ritte, the visitors were unable to reach their tour destination of Halawa Valley due to traffic and a fallen tree blocking the road.
Overlooks shut for shelter fixes
KULA, Maui » Haleakala National Park will temporarily close the Kalahaku and Leleiwi overlooks for repairs to the roofs of the shelters.
Park officials say roof replacement at Kalahaku Overlook will start today and is expected to be complete by Dec. 15, depending on the weather. Leleiwi Overlook will undergo repairs starting Dec. 16, with work scheduled to be complete by Jan. 9.
