GOVERNOR LINGLE RELEASES $15 MILLION TO UPGRADE SMALL BOAT HARBOR FACILITIES ON MAUI
For Immediate Release: July 16, 2008
HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has released $15,021,000 for improvements to the Ma‘alaea Small Boat Harbor and Hana Boat Ramp on Maui as part of the Administration’s multi-year effort to upgrade small boat harbor facilities statewide.
“Ongoing investment in the repair and modernization of our small boat harbor infrastructure will ensure the facilities are safe for boaters and commuters and that our fragile marine environment is protected,” said Governor Lingle. “For Maui County residents, these boating facilities are used on a daily basis for recreation as well as interisland ferry commuting. It is also important to keep these facilities in good condition to provide transportation alternatives in the event of an emergency.”
Ma‘alaea Small Boat Harbor – $10,915,000
A portion of the funds released by the Governor will enable the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to continue improvements to Ma‘alaea Small Boat Harbor, including sewage pump-out and electrical upgrades, as well as reconstruction of the existing ferry terminal building and harbor infrastructure.
DLNR will use $5,760,000 for construction of multiple sewage pump-outs and related improvements for the disposal of sewage from vessels utilizing the harbor. Currently, there are no such facilities at the harbor, and boaters dump their untreated sewage into the ocean or have it pumped out by a private sewage pump truck. The project is also being financed by a $950,000 federal grant from the Clean Water Vessel Act.
The funds will also go toward electrical utility upgrades to meet state and county standards and provide safe utilities for the harbor users. Electrical improvements include a new electrical meter building, electrical lines and pier electrical outlets.
Work at Ma‘alaea also includes reconstructing the existing ferry terminal building; renovating the loading dock; installing new utilities; a new comfort station; and drainage, walkway, roadway and parking improvements. The upgraded Ma‘alaea ferry port will increase commuter ferry operations between the islands of Lāna‘i and Maui. It will serve as a back-up and help reduce congestion at the Lahaina Small Boat Harbor, which is the only ferry port on Maui used by the Lāna‘i and Moloka‘i Ferry. The $5,155,000 in state funds are being matched by $18,620,000 in Federal Transit Administration funds.
The estimated completion date for the Ma‘alaea Small Boat Harbor improvements is January 2011.
Hana Boat Ramp and Warf – $4,106,000
DLNR will use $4,106,000 to reconstruct the revetment adjacent to the Hana Boat Ramp which is used to absorb the impact of incoming waves to protect the ramp and shoreline. The existing revetment has been severely damaged by years of wave action as well as settlement. Construction will include removal of the loading dock in order to reconstruct the revetment, and reconstructing the dock to meet accessibility standards. The Hana Boat Ramp is the only boat launch ramp in the area. Construction is expected to begin in July 2009 and be completed in December 2010.
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For more information, contact:
Laura H. Thielen
Director, DLNR
Phone: (808) 587-0401
Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708
Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043
