Reported by: Ron Mizutani
Email: rmizutani@khon.com
Last Update: 6/23 8:53 pm

KHON2 News has learned the name of a fishing vessel that is being investigated by law enforcement agencies. The U.S. Coast Guard and NOAA officials say the boat’s crew was illegally fishing in a special preservation area inside the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument. Officials are withholding the name of the boat during their investigation.

But KHON2 was told Tuesday the boat in question is the “Ka Imi Kai.” Investigators have interviewed the boat’s captain, crew and owner. Enforcement officers also confiscated more than $1,700 worth of fish from the boat.

A Ka Imi Kai crew member clears ice from the vessel at its slip at Kewalo Basin.

The Honolulu-based bottom-fishing vessel is accused of illegally fishing in protected waters of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. The 60-foot vessel was ordered to return to Hawaii by law enforcement personnel with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Coast Guard after the crew was spotted fishing in a “special preservation area” inside the monument on June 15th.

“There are some areas within the monument that are completely off limits and this particular vessel is alleged to have been in one of those areas,” said Lt. John Titchen of the U.S. Coast Guard.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard a crew aboard a C-130 spotted the fishing crew hauling its lines out of the water and abruptly getting away. When the C-130 returned the crew had put its lines back in the water and allegedly resumed fishing.

“I want to make it clear that we’re not criminals,” said Zenen Ozoa is the owner of the Ka Imi Kai one of eight fishing vessels allowed to fish within the monument. Ozoa was not on board at the time but acknowledges his captain made a mistake. “The captain has been trolling around the area for 25 years, he didn’t know he not supposed to throw the line inside.”

Monday, NOAA investigators removed 14 percent of its load.

“They made a mistake, we penalize already $1,700 yesterday,” said Ozoa. “If he keep doing it then it’s not a mistake then he know what he’s doing.”

Ozoa faces possible civil penalties pending an investigation. He says the irony in this, is he was an active supporter of the monument often writing letters to lawmakers urging them to protect the waters.

“I have fought for this monument, you call the fisheries, you go on internet and you press my name and you’ll see what I’m trying to do how many letters I wrote,” said Ozoa. “I’m sorry for what’s happen.”

Ozoa says he will appeal any large penalty.