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Investing in Hawai`i's Infrastructure

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Moving forward on the Lingle-Aiona Administration's plan to invest in the modernization of Hawai`i's small boat harbors and other outdoor recreational facilities, Governor Lingle and the Department of Land and Natural Resources dedicated three new floating docks at the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor.

Investing in Hawai`i's Infrastructure

From left: William Wilson, president, Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company; Governor Lingle; Ed Underwood, administrator, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation; Ala Wai Harbormaster Kenneth Chee; DLNR Chair Laura Thielen; and Kahu Kordell Kekoa.

"The completion of Docs B, C and D renews outdoor recreation opportunities for residents and visitors," said Governor Lingle.  "It continues progress DLNR has made at Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor to reverse decades of neglect and represents the type of modernization projects we could be embarking on statewide, with proper investment."

The Governor also noted the importance of investing in the state's infrastructure despite the current economic conditions and the fact that the Legislature failed to pass DLNR's innovative Recreational Renaissance plan to improve state parks, small boat harbors and other recreational facilities.

"The future doesn't go away when times are hard," she said.  "This is why it is so important to invest in our infrastructure and not allow our harbors, parks, highways and airports to get so far behind."

Over $5.3 million has been spent to make much needed improvements at the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor and an additional $2.25 million in projects are presently under design and will be put out to bid this summer. These projects include the replacement of concrete piers at the Transient docks and 700 Row, and critical water and sewer improvements.

DLNR Director Laura Thielen shows Governor Lingle the new floating docks.

The dedication, combined with the replacement of the F Dock in late 2007, brings 248 slips back into service for Hawai`i's boating community. Another 40 slips at the harbor's Transient Docks and 700 Row will be replaced in the next year.

"A few years ago we stood at a crossroads, lacking funding to repair docks at Ala Wai that were falling into the harbor waters," said DLNR Director Laura H. Thielen. "We committed to making Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor the flagship recreational harbor in the State and here we stand today witnessing its rebirth.

"Although we have made great progress, there is still a great deal of work to be done at Ala Wai," added Thielen. 

"The Recreational Renaissance plan would have funded an additional $5.4 million in much needed improvements at Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor, but unfortunately the plan was not passed by the Legislature," Thielen said. "The department still plans to push on and implement as many components of the Recreational Renaissance as possible.  The investment we make today in our harbors, parks and trails will reap benefits for future generations."

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