Honolulu molasses spill

In September 2013, 1,400 tons of molasses spilled into Honolulu Harbor. The spill was discovered on 9 September 2013.[1] It was caused by a faulty pipe, for which the shipping company Matson Navigation Co. took responsibility.[2] Molasses is an unregulated product, and neither Matson nor government officials had a contingency plan to respond to a molasses spill.[1] Natural currents and weather were expected to eventually dilute and flush the molasses out of the harbor and a nearby lagoon.[3]

Honolulu molasses spill
DateSeptember 2013 (2013-09)
LocationHonolulu Harbor
Coordinates21.30°N 157.87°W / 21.30; -157.87
TypeMolasses spill
CauseFaulty pipe
DeathsAll sea life in the area
Property damage1,400 tons of molasses

Divers in the harbor area reported that all sea life in the area was killed by the molasses, which instantly sank to the bottom of the harbor and caused widespread deoxygenation.[4][5][6] Members of various coral species were injured or killed, and more than 26,000 fish and members of other marine species suffocated and died.[2]

The Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar on Maui produces molasses from fresh sugar cane, and ships it to the mainland to be processed and sold. Matson had been transporting molasses from Honolulu Harbor for 30 years and at the time was shipping it about once a week.[1]

Follow-up

On 20 September 2013, the Hawaii Department of Transportation issued an order that all businesses which pump products through port pipelines must provide the state with documentation about pipeline inspections and spill response plans. Previously no such reporting had been required.[7] Since such spills are almost impossible to clean up, the plan focuses on prevention and early detection, with regular inspections of pipelines and hourly monitoring of transmission operations.[8]

See also

References
  1. McMavoy, Audrey (September 21, 2013). "Pipe had leak months before Hawaii molasses spill". NBC News. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  2. "Hawaii still assessing impact of molasses spill". The Garden Island. October 10, 2013. Archived from the original on October 11, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  3. Basu, Tanya (September 17, 2013). "Hawaii Molasses Spill: Better or Worse Than Oil?". National Geographic. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  4. Pearce, Matt (September 13, 2013). "Molasses spill in Honolulu Harbor poses calamity for marine life". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  5. "Thousands of fish dying as 1,400 tons of molasses ooze into Honolulu harbor". The Guardian. September 12, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  6. Memmott, Mark (September 12, 2013). "Massive Molasses Spill Devastates Honolulu Marine Life". National Public Radio. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  7. Grube, Nick (October 18, 2013). "Hawaii Harbor Officials Tell Port Businesses to Provide Response Plans". Honolulu Civil Beat. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  8. Grube, Nick (November 13, 2013). "New Molasses Spill Response Plan Concedes Environmental Danger". Honolulu Civil Beat. Retrieved November 25, 2013.


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