Peter Wood

Maui, HI: (Jun-12-07) The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) brought charges against Peter Wood, Crystal Seahorse Ltd. part-owner and boat captain, alleging that he illegally entered the 'Ahihi-Kina'u Natural Area Reserve and damaged coral heads with an anchor, thereby violating state rules protecting stony corals. Wood was at the helm of the Shangri-La tour boat, owned by Crystal Seahorse, on a special snorkeling charter for a dozen customers on Aug. 18, 2005, when the vessel was observed dropping anchor about 50 feet from shore, according to a DLNR report. The anchor and chain broke off at least 11 lobe and cauliflower coral heads and chipped and fractured other coral along a 34-yard stretch of ocean floor. Aquatics resources staff were able to reattach four of the coral heads using a quick-drying cement mixture. The 2,045-acre 'Ahihi-Kina'u Natural Area Reserve on Maui's southern coastline is one of 19 natural area reserves in Hawaii and the only one that includes marine waters. No motorized boats or commercial activities such as snorkeling, hiking or kayaking tours are allowed within the reserve, which contains pristine reef ecosystems, rare anchialine, or brackish water, ponds, and numerous geological and archaeological features.

Wood, an experienced boat captain who normally conducts tours in Ka'anapali, later admitted to DLNR officials that he made a mistake in entering the reserve. In a settlement reached, he agreed to pay $7,300 to resolve the allegations. DLNR staff had asked for penalties totaling almost $14,000. [HONOLULU ADVERTISER: CORAL DAMAGE]

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Published on Jun-13-07