"Ka'alani," Maui County's new $218,000, 26-foot-long rescue boat was blessed today and will be based in Lahaina.

The boat can reach speeds of up to 37 knots and was designed for rough water. It features twin 220-horsepower Yanmar diesel engines; electronics which include a GPS, chart plotter, radar and a depth recorder; a self-draining flush deck, and a rescue door for pulling individuals in from the ocean.

The boat will be staffed by 15 members of the Lahaina station ladder company with boating experience who have been trained on the boat's electronics system.

"With the high numbers of ocean activities that take place in West Maui, this boat will significantly increase our ability to assist people in trouble at sea," Fire Chief Jeffrey Murray said.

Lahaina-based Captain and Hawaiian kumu Amos Lonokailua-Hewett said "Ka'alani" means "rolling heavens" and the name is a reference to the winds of the Lahaina area that revolve from the land to the sea and back again.

Maui County has two other fire rescue boats, a Force Marine stationed at the Kahului Fire Station, and an AquaSport on Moloka'i, staffed by Kaunakakai Fire Station personnel.