Photos and video of an enormous yacht estimated to be worth more than $350 million spread online after it appeared in Hawaiian waters, leaving locals and visitors trying to figure out what they were seeing.
Before the owner was identified, the vessel's unusual profile had some observers wondering if it might be connected to the military.
Here's what to know
According to the New York Post, the vessel was eventually linked to Yusaku Maezawa, a billionaire fashion entrepreneur.
Its appearances off Waikiki drew local attention, with the yacht, named Nausicaa, standing out because of its size and shape.
One social media user put it this way: "Did anyone else see this off of the Waikiki shore the other day?"
After spotting the vessel off Maili, visitor Ted Reddy told Hawaii News Now, "At first, I thought it was a military vehicle."
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The yacht's name nods to Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli anime Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. According to the New York Post, among the amenities aboard Nausicaa are a sushi bar, a split-level art gallery, a helipad, a pool and an area for table tennis. It can host 18 guests in nine cabins and is staffed by a crew of more than 36.
More background
Marc Newson designed the yacht, and Lurssen built it at its shipyard in Bremen, Germany, the outlet reported. At sea, it typically travels at about 14 knots and can exceed 20 knots.
A two-megawatt battery system also lets the yacht keep onboard operations running while anchored without using its generators.
Yachts like this can raise serious environmental concerns, particularly because of the enormous amounts of energy, fuel, and resources required to build and operate them.
They also raise broader questions about how ultra-luxury lifestyles can normalize extreme consumption at a time when many people are being encouraged to use less energy and reduce their environmental impact.
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