Officials: Waikiki holiday event leads to underage drinking

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HONOLULU (AP) — Authorities say an Independence Day event that drew about a thousand people to Waikiki waters has led to reports of underage drinking, alcohol illnesses and officers assisting numerous boaters.

HONOLULU (AP) — Authorities say an Independence Day event that drew about a thousand people to Waikiki waters has led to reports of underage drinking, alcohol illnesses and officers assisting numerous boaters.

The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources says enthusiasts took to the waters Monday in boats and a variety of water craft for the so-called Waikiki flotilla or Floatopia.

Officials say in a release that about 300 people were helped by officers back to shore, but it didn’t provide detail on what prompted the aid. It added that two juveniles were hospitalized with alcohol poisoning.

Officers also escorted numerous young people, some underage, who were drinking on a boat back to shore. The boat also didn’t have enough life preservers.

And officers ordered an overloaded catamaran with at least 50 people on deck to return to shore.