Matson reimburses businesses affected by spill

Matson Inc. is starting to cut checks to businesses hurt by last month’s molasses spill disaster. About a dozen companies have filed claims against the shipping giant after the spill shutdown Keehi Lagoon and much of Honolulu Harbor for nearly two week. One of those companies, Bonefish Honolulu, confirmed that it has resolved its claims. "We’ve settled with Matson so we have something to fall back on if the bookings don’t come through," said Joaquin DeNolfo. DeNolfo and his father Louie "The Fish" DeNolfo book fly fishing tours in Keehi Lagoon. The company said its bookings plummeted after a faulty Matson pipe dumped more than 230,000 gallons of molasses into Honolulu Harbor, killing more than 20,000 fish and untold sea life in the area. The DeNolfos said the terms of the settlement were confidential. Matson did not return calls. The shipping giant has taken responsibility for the spill and has agreed to pay for the clean up costs. But it won’t say if it will pay for damages and penalties arising from its role in the spill. Legal experts say a quick resolution of the civil claims favors Matson.