For immediate release: November 7, 2008

DLNR TO INSTALL NEW FLOATING “B,” “C,” AND “D” DOCKS AT ALA WAI SMALL BOAT HARBOR

HONOLULU— The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will begin a project to install new floating dock systems at Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor on Monday, November 10.

The project will involve demolishing the existing cross dock and floating docks B, C and D, and installing new engineered aluminum framed floating dock systems to replace the existing concrete fixed and floating docks, which were installed in 1972.

The existing concrete dock systems are badly deteriorated and portions of the docks were determined to be unsafe and beyond repair.

“With the undertaking of this project, DLNR and Governor Lingle continue to make good on promises to reinvest in the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor and have it fulfill its potential,” said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairperson.

“We all have to admit this is quite a change from 2006 when all we could do was secure $30,000 to repair and put back into service a dock that had far outlived its usable life. In four short years from 2006 to 2010, over 60 % of the harbor infrastructure on submerged lands, on the harbor's fast lands and even below the surface will be repaired, replaced or modernized,” Thielen said.

“This harbor -- DLNR's flagship recreational boating facility -- will again be a magnet for boaters in the Pacific basin and ocean recreation enthusiasts. We thank the Governor and our legislators for their generous support, and look forward to our combined effort to continue the transformation of Ala Wai,” she said.

The Floating Docks B, C and D are located in the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor in Honolulu on the ‘Ewa side of the recently completed Floating Docks F and G, which were installed in 2007 and 2002, respectively.

Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company will mobilize its crew and equipment to the project site on November 10, 2008. The installation of the docks is scheduled to begin in December 2008 and be completed by May 2009.

Modular sections of the floating dock are being fabricated by Bluewater Marine at their shop in Waialua, O‘ahu. They will be delivered to the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor, and unloaded directly into the water and assembled to form the main and finger piers.

The new floating dock system is constructed out of corrosion-resistant 6000 series aluminum frames, which sit on heavy-duty polyethylene foam filled floats. The aluminum frame is topped with plastic composite decking.

The dock system consists of a 389 foot-long, 8 foot wide main piers, and 3 to 5 foot-wide finger piers, which will be connected to the new floating cross dock. The existing fixed concrete cross dock will also be replaced with a new engineered aluminum framed floating dock system.

Finger piers will be provided on both sides of the main piers to provide safe access to the boats moored at these docks. There will be 12-40’ and 15-26’ long finger piers on Dock B, 30-26’ long finger piers on Dock C, and 15-26’ and 14-30’ long finger piers on Dock D.

The docks will contain dock boxes, modular power pedestals (electrical); potable water; fire protection; telephone and cable (optional).

Currently there are no boats on B dock since in preparation for the replacement, most of the B dock vessels were temporarily relocated to F dock and other areas in the facility. Once B dock is completed, all the B dock vessels will return to their slips. Harbor staff will then relocate the C and D dock vessels to the B, F dock and other areas in the facility.

“The benefit of a modular dock system is its durability and low maintenance,” said Ed Underwood, DOBOR administrator. “If damaged or worn it can be easily reconfigured and repaired. Whole sections can be swapped out and reconfigured.”

“This technology and the materials being used in fabrication allow DLNR’s docks the flexibility to grow and change as needed,” he added.

The project cost is $2,850,750. Completion is expected in May 2009. A $10 million lump sum Capital Improvement Project allotment provided by the Legislature in 2007 paved the way for the dock replacement. The engineering consulting firm for the project is Mitsunaga and Associates, Inc.

Some parking stalls near the dock site will be used for staging of equipment.

Design work for the sewer system improvements, 700 Row and transient docks are ongoing and scheduled to be completed in early 2009. In addition, design work for the water system improvements and 500 row are scheduled to begin in late 2009.

DOBOR operates and manages 19 harbors, 15 ramps, 2,122 moorings and berths across the state. The division works in close partnership with DLNR's Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) and the U.S. Coast Guard to make nearshore waters safe. The division is also responsible for registering all vessels in Hawaii which are not documented by the U.S. Coast Guard and for regulating and permitting surf meets, canoe and yachting regattas, ocean swimming events and other ocean events with the concurrence of the U.S. Coast Guard.

For more information call the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation at 587-1963.

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For additional information, media may call:
Deborah Ward
DLNR Public Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320

Edward Underwood
Administrator, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation
587-1966

Eric Yuasa
Engineering, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation
587-0122

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