Need your help! Moko Holo Hele as Hawaii's New Dive Site

[CaptFlyingDutchman]

For one and a half years, volunteers have been working hard on cleaning, removing contaminants, and any other items that would harm the environment from the Moko Holo Hele. (Check it out Wikoliana Artificial Reef) The ship is ready for final inspection by state and federal regulatory agencies before she can be sunk to become Hawaii’s next artificial reef.

The state has started on the EA paperwork for the government owned artificial reef sites, which will take time. In the mean while, an organization (non-profit, business, group, etc.) needs to take ownership of the Moko Holo Hele and pay for the required insurance at the pier. If this cannot be secured in a timely matter, the ship will have to be disposed of in deep water.

It is up to the dive community to let the state know how important this is.
Email, call, write in
DLNR@hawaii.gov - DLNR
info@hvcb.org - Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau
Mayor
Governor
etc

 

[CaptFlyingDutchman]

Here is an example letter .... Just copy, paste and fill in the blanks!

Aloha,

I am writing to you from (enter city or state) to express my support for transforming the Moko Holo Hele into a near-shore artificial reef. The Moko Holo Hele was a former U.S. Navy Ford Island car ferry located in historical Pearl Harbor. For 30 years she and her sister ferry was the only way to shuttle cars back and forth.

The ship now sits abandoned at Marisco shipyards. For one and a half years, volunteers worked hard on cleaning, removing contaminants, and any other items that would harm the environment. The ship is ready for final inspection by state and federal regulatory agencies before she can be sunk to become Hawaii’s next artificial reef.

This project will bring a long term benefit to the recreational dive community, local fishermen, tourism, and the environment. It is with this in mind that I implore the state of Hawaii to consider scuttling this vessel near-shore, making it available to recreational divers. As you are aware, Hawaii's current wrecks provide a significant attraction for divers, and the opportunity to see a vessel with such a historical tie to Pearl Harbor, is not one many divers would pass up.

I hope that as we advance into the next phase of the project’s final approval, we can count on your support. The former Ford Island ferry is a unique part of Hawaiian maritime history. The Moko Holo Hele will be ready for her next duty assigned as Hawaii’s newest artificial reef and dive site.

Best regards,
Name
City
State

 

[scottitheduck]

Thanks for the update CaptFlyingDutchman......... Can you give us some guidance on where we should prioritize our email efforts?

G

 

[Nuribromanski]

If this cannot be secured in a timely matter, the ship will have to be disposed of in deep water.

How deep are we talking here, Blade?

 

[CaptFlyingDutchman]

Short story. Cannot sink the ship until the state is finished reactivating EA on all state run artificial reef sites. The Moko Holo Hele needs a place to stay until EA paperwork is complete. Quick answer, need a organization to take ownership of the ferry, including paying for dock side insurance.