Navy rescues scientists in Hawaii

The San Diego-based warship Makin Island evacuated two NOAA scientists from Hawaii's Papahnaumokukea Marine National Monument on Friday to ensure that they weren't harmed by Hurricane Iselle as the storm passed through the Northwest Hawaiian Islands, the Navy says.

Researchers Kristine Meise and Carrie McAttee were studying Hawaiian Monk seals when they were taken off the monument by a boat crew from Makin Island, an amphibious assault ship that's on deployment in the Pacific. Makin Island was assisted by two other San Diego warships, the Comstock and San Diego.

The Navy said in a statement that "each (ship) deployed rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIB) that traveled more than four miles and endured challenging seas but safely reached their destination. Once the boats reached the coastline, they carefully maneuvered to receive the researchers and their gear without affecting the endangered marine life below."

The scientists had been working in the area since June and were scheduled to stay until September.

We heard on our Local News tthese folks were taken to Midway. These ships are based in San Diego. Howard