US Coast Guard responds to oil spill at Ala Wai Harbor in Hawaii

LOS ANGELES -- The US Coast Guard said it is responding to an oil spill at Ala Wai Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Monday, together with local authorities.

Pollution responders with Pacific Environmental Corporation (PENCO) are on scene recovering red-dye diesel from the water, according to a statement from the US Coast Guard. So far, responders have deployed 23 bags of sorbent pads and sweep materials to contain the spill and recover diesel.

The amount and source of the spill remain unknown and are under investigation. No injuries or impacts to wildlife have been reported, the statement said.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu command center received a report Sunday evening of a diesel fuel spill near the docks on the north side of the harbor.

After deploying a federal on-scene coordinator representative and environmental response investigators, the Coast Guard assessed the incident and federalized the oil spill response. PENCO crews arrived at the scene and began cleanup operations early Monday morning, the statement added.

The US Coast Guard urged the public to maintain a safe distance from the response area while mitigation efforts continue.