Hawaii News

Watch: Officials respond to dead sperm whale beached at Lydgate Beach in east Kaua‘i

Play
Listen to this Article
2 minutes
Loading Audio... Article will play after ad...
Playing in :00
A
A
A

This story was updated at 3:10 p.m. Jan. 28.

Officials with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources and Kaua‘i County are responding to a dead palaoa, or sperm whale, that was beached at Lydgate Beach on the eastern coastline of Kaua‘i.

The whale was first reported Friday evening on the reef off the beach. High tide brought it ashore Saturday morning, according to a news release from the state Land Department.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

Native Hawaiian practitioners have been conducting cultural protocols as heavy equipment is attempting to move the 56-foot, 60-ton carcass onto the beach. Spectators are being kept back and are asked not to cross the yellow tape during the continuing operation.

  • Courtesy of the Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources.
  • Courtesy of the Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources.
  • Courtesy of the Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources.
  • Courtesy of the Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Shark warning signs also have been posted on the beach.

The cause of the whale’s death is unknown. A team from the University of Hawai‘i Health and Stranding Lab will conduct an onsite examination of the carcass in an effort to determine cause of death once it can be moved from the water onto the beach.

ADVERTISEMENT

Planning also is underway for final disposition of the whale’s remains. 

Sperm whales are listed as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act. For more information on the species, click here

“Sadly, the wonderful beast is dead,” said an 11:10 a.m. tweet by @OutcomeOptimist. “Hubby didn’t know and stopped on his way home to see how the pond was. I knew about the whale because of the county’s post. Hubby was kind of relieved that I already knew. It made him sad to tell me.”

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

“What a total bummer,” @Princess0nMaui replied.

A video of the beached whale was posted just before noon Saturday in the What’s Happening Kaua‘i Facebook group.

Kaua‘i County Parks and Recreation closed Lydgate Beach early Saturday because of the beached whale. No swimming is allowed while the operation to remove the whale carcass is ongoing, and beachgoers are asked to avoid the area.

For everyone’s safety, the public’s cooperation is appreciated during the response effort.

This photo of the beached whale at Lydgate Beach on the east side of Kaua‘i was posted publicly on Facebook at 7:33 a.m. Saturday by Dennis Esaki.
ADVERTISEMENT

Sponsored Content

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Stay in-the-know with daily
headlines delivered straight to your inbox.
Cancel
×

Comments

This comments section is a public community forum for the purpose of free expression. Although Kauai Now encourages respectful communication only, some content may be considered offensive. Please view at your own discretion. View Comments