Researchers Stranded on Palmyra Island

Twelve visiting conservatory trustees from Louisiana are stranded on Palmyra Island south of Hawaii.

The trustees were set to depart from the island on Saturday, until they learned the only plane that could fly directly to the island was in need of a new engine. Last time I checked, replacing the engine on anything, let alone a plane, was a pretty lengthy and complicated process.

No need to worry though, Pacific Air Charters at Honolulu International Airport has come to the rescue. The company has agreed to fit a twin-engine Cessna with a 75-gallon fuel tank that will land on Christmas Island, 300 miles off Palmyra, then ferry the trustees off the island in two trips.

Palmyra has a coral runway (who's smart idea was that?) which requires a special plane, owned by the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, to land.

So, the trustees are stuck there for at least one more day. But this isn't exactly Gilligan's Island. The island is equipped with elecricity, cabins and supplies. It sounds more like a free vacation to me, let 'em stay another week!