GOVERNOR LINGLE RELEASES $630,000 FOR WAI`ANAE SMALL BOAT HARBOR REPAIRS

For Immediate Release:  March 25, 2008

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has released $630,000 to replace portions of the three concrete piers at Wai‘anae Small Boat Harbor, building on substantial repairs and improvements completed earlier this year.

Due to the piers’ extensive deterioration, more than 20 of the harbor’s 146 slips are closed. Renovating the concrete piers will restore these slips to service, provide space for waitlisted boaters and generate income for the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation.

“Our small boat harbors offer a vital connection to recreational and commercial ocean activities. It’s important that they be kept in good working condition,” said Governor Lingle. “By repairing the heavily used Wai‘anae Small Boat Harbor, this project will provide a greater number of boaters with access to a safe and usable facility.”

A previous allotment of $150,000 was released in 2006 to cover design. Design costs came in under this amount by $30,000. The remaining funds were transferred to the construction phase and are part of this most recent allotment. The total project cost is $750,000.

The design phase has been completed. Construction is scheduled to begin in September 2008 and be completed in June 2009.

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.

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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