Molasses Spill in Hawaii - Carolyn Villalobos Period 4

Last Monday, 1,400 tons of molasses spilled into Honolulu harbor after a leak was discovered in a pipeline used to load molasses onto ships operated by Matson Navigation Company. The company has has been providing Pacific-wide shipping services since 1882, and very rarely has anything like this happened. The molasses suffocated nearly everything that was underwater, and is not expected to clear up for the next few weeks as natural tides and currents slowly flush it out. The Hawaii department of health sent out boats to remove the dead fish from the water. While molasses is not directly harmful to humans, it poisoned and suffocated the living creatures in the area, polluting the area and possibly attracting predators such as  barracuda, sharks, and eels. Swimmers and surfers were warned to stay out of the water until it all clears up and to not eat any dead fish found in the area.

While it is extremely unfortunate that this has happened, and that so many creatures have died, it could have been worse. Luckily, the molasses can dissipate on its own, unlike oil which could stay in the water for an indefinite amount of time unless cleaned up. It doesn't change the fact, however, that it has caused an immense amount of damage; and I believe that in the future the company should check and regulate their pipes more often to prevent this from happening again.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/13/shark-attack-feared-hawaii-molasses