For immediate release: January 18, 2008

 

DLNR OPENS NEW FLOATING "F" DOCK AT ALA WAI HARBOR

HONOLULU - The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) celebrated the opening of the new "F" dock at Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor with a blessing today. The 650 foot long by 88 foot long state-of-the-art modular dock system was fabricated in Hawai'i and was installed along with water and electrical utilities, marina power pedestals, gangway, dock boxes and access gate.

"The state Administration is committed to upgrading and properly maintaining small boat harbors across the state to ensure the safety of residents and visitors who use these important public facilities and to enhance ocean and recreation opportunities," said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR Chairperson.

"The opening of this new dock is just a preview of what's to come," said Thielen. "Installation of this type of pier system will be repeated to replace B, C and D docks at Ala Wai in the not-too-distant future."

"In time it will become obvious that this durable, low maintenance structure was a very cost-effective alternative. The modules can be quickly reconfigured and easily repaired if damaged. It provides the department with the kind of flexibility it needs for infrastructure maintenance," she said.

Assembly of the modular pier system began at Ala Wai in early October and was completed in just three months. It is constructed out of marine-grade aluminum frames, which sit on heavy-duty polyethylene foam-filled floats. The aluminum frame is covered and protected by plastic composite decking. The new F Dock now has 35 finger piers extending from a central pier and 70 slips. Final cost to install the modular dock came to $935,000.

In March 2006 Governor Linda Lingle released $1,650,000 for the design and construction of F Dock. Funds were authorized under Act 178, SLH 2005, Item H-10. The design engineer firm for the project was Mitsunaga and Associates, Inc.

The improvements at the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor are part of a multi-year effort by the Lingle-Aiona Administration to upgrade small boat harbor facilities statewide.

The Administration is requesting an additional $10 million in its fiscal year 2009 supplemental budget to continue repair and maintenance of small boat harbors statewide.

DOBOR operates and manages 21 harbors, 50 ramps, 2,122 moorings and berths, and 19 piers 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 Hawai'i 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.

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For additional information, call

Deborah Ward
DLNR Public Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320

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

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