Matson agrees to plea deal with feds over Honolulu Harbor molasses spill

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Tina Yuen

Matson Inc. reached a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney's office in Hawaii over the 2013 spill that dumped 233,000 gallons of molasses into Honolulu Harbor.

Bill Cresenzo

Reporter- Pacific Business News

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Matson Inc. reached a plea agreement Tuesday with the U.S. Attorney in Hawaii on charges that the company illegally discharged more than 230,000 gallons of molasses into Honolulu Harbor in 2013, agreeing to pay a total penalty of $1 million.
Matson Terminals Inc. pleaded guilty to the two counts of violating the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 under the charges filed by U.S. Attorney Florence Nakakuni.

Matson Terminals will pay a total $1 million — a $400,000 fine and a $600,000 community service payment, with $300,000 of that paid to the Waikiki Aquarium. Another $300,000 payment will be made to Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii – "to inspire local communities to care for their coastlines through beach clean-ups," Matson said in a statement.

"Matson has cooperated with the U.S. Attorney's office and the EPA Criminal Investigation Division throughout their investigation of the September 2013 molasses incident," Matt Cox, Matson president and CEO, said in a statement. "While we regret the incident, we are focused on resolving the matter, subject to the court's approval of the agreement. We continue to cooperate with the state and the EPA in an effort to address impacts from the incident."

The spill occurred on Sept. 9 and 10, 2013. In all, 233,000 gallons of molasses spilled into Honolulu Harbor, Nakakuni charged.

The spill caused or contributed to the death of about 25,000 fish.

Matson said it has not resolved any potential civil claims by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or claims by the state of Hawaii arising out of the molasses incident. Matson put a halt to the molasses pipeline system at the Sand Island terminal after the spill.

Bill Cresenzo covers residential real estate, retail and restaurants for Pacific Business News.