Hawaii Finds Boat That May Be Tsunami Debris

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources says a boat recovered from Kahana Bay on Oahu’s windward coast may be tsunami debris that arrived in Hawaii from Japan.

The department said Tuesday staff collected two species of mussels attached to the boat that aren’t present in Hawaii. The mussels are being handed over to Bishop Museum scientists for identification.

The 20-foot-boat was seen floating in the bay last Thursday but had broken up a day later.

The department found pieces of the boat with Japanese writing and Japanese registration numbers. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s marine debris program is working with the Japanese consulate to identify where the boat came from.