Just got this back from DLNR:
Aloha. Thanks for your sharing your concern about the decision to sink the Falls of Clyde, which was made by the Bishop Museum, owner of the historic vessel, and not by the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
It is moored at a Department of Transportation (Honolulu) harbor, outside of our jurisdiction. The Museum has sought permits from the National Park Service and the Environmental Protection Agency for the ship to be scuttled at a location in deepwater and will need their approvals for this to occur. The scuttle plan has been reviewed by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Our department has provided information about our requirements for a nearshore scuttling -- which carries certain requirements for environmental cleanliness, safety for divers, and stability once sunk -- to an interested party but no further action was taken.
Given the very poor condition of the ship and risk of imminent sinking at its pier, as well as the very large cost of restoration for which funds may not have been raised by the Museum, it seems that the likely fate, though regrettable, of this historic ship is to be sunk at sea.
Sincerely
Dept. of Land and Natural Resources
Public information office
Hmmm..... what do you guys make of this?
G