Tern Island, part of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, is home to nesting seabirds, endangered Hawaiian monk seals and threatened Hawaiian green sea turtles.
USFWS photo

Papahānaumokuākea Islands Mostly Spared by Tropical Storm Neki

A U.S. Coast Guard overflight of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument on October 24 revealed Tropical Storm Neki caused no apparent damage to the field station islands and facilities within its path. The storm, which once had been a Category 3 hurricane, passed through the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands from October 23 to early October 24. On October 21, as the hurricane approached, 10 FWS workers and volunteers were evacuated from Tern Island by the U.S. Coast Guard. The next day, four FWS workers and three National Marine Fisheres Service workers were evacuated by the NOAA vessel Sette. Although no damage to facilities was apparent, two small islands within French Frigate Shoals appeared to be affected. Round Island may now be smaller, and, true to its name, Disappearing Island has disappeared. Both islands provide vital habitat for Hawaiian monk seals and nesting sea turtles.

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Published on: Thursday, October 29, 2009