Mystery Sheen, Southeast Oahu, Hawaii; China Walls, Oahu

China Walls, Oahu | 2019-Aug-07

Initial Notification: On August 7, 2019, the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Honolulu contacted the NOAA SSC to request support related to a mystery sheen reported off the China Walls and Spitting Cave area near Hawaii Kai on the Island of Oahu, Hawaii. The sheen was reported to USCG as approximately 1 mile long and 20 meters wide, appearing orange/brown in color and looking like emulsified oil. USCG requested an assessment of whether the sheen, if confirmed to be oil, could potentially impact nearby shorelines. A verbal trajectory was provided. After investigation, USCG determined the sheen was of biological origin.