By OSKAR GARCIA
John Hernandez of Kailua, Hawaii and owner of John’s Fresh Fish, describes the effect of the spilled molasses will have on the marine like in Honolulu Harbor and near by Keehi Lagoon Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013, in Honolulu. Off to the right in the back ground is the Matson container ship Mahi Mahi which is being loaded at the Matson container base yard’s pier 52. A pipe maintained by Matson at pier 52 cracked and leaked about 233,000 gallons of molasses into the harbor. The molasses spill is being blamed for the killing of marine life at Keehi Lagoon which is located near the Honolulu Harbor. The cracked pipe has been repaired and the molasses leak stopped. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
HONOLULU (AP) — A senior executive for the shipping company responsible for spilling about 1,400 tons of molasses into Hawaii waters says the company hadn’t planned for the possibility of a spill.
Vic Angoco said Thursday that Matson Navigation Co. had planned for spills of oil or other chemicals, but not for the sugary substance.
Hawaii Department of Health Deputy Director Gary Gill says about 2,000 dead fish have been collected in waters near Honolulu Harbor. Gill says officials believe the best plan is to let currents flush out and dilute the molasses.
The spill occurred Monday in an industrial area where Matson loads molasses and other goods for shipping.
Gill told reporters at a news conference more fish have died in this incident than in any other in the area.
