DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

News Release

LINDA LINGLE

GOVERNOR

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PETER T. YOUNG, CHAIRPERSON

Phone: (808) 587-0401

Fax: (808) 587-0390

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release: March 9, 2007

DLNR Notifying Boaters Of Access To
Wailoa Harbor During Channel Dredging

HILO -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is notifying boaters that it has completed a phase of land-based dredging work at the Wailoa small boat harbor entrance channel.

"Work is currently stopped on the dredging at Wailoa as we wait for a barge necessary for this project to arrive," said Peter Young, DLNR Chairperson. "While the barge is in transit, Wailoa Harbor users may enjoy uninhibited use of the harbor."

DLNR’s contractor, American Marine Corp. is tentatively scheduled to bring a dredge barge into the harbor channel about the middle of next week for the next phase of the project.

DLNR’s Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation is posting signs at the Wailoa harbor launch ramp (which remains open) and in the harbor to advise boaters that the harbor mouth is open --until the barge arrives and is stationed in the entrance channel. When the dredge barge is in place and operational, the channel will not be accessible to vessels.

Since January, DLNR contractor American Marine Corp. has been doing maintenance dredging of the harbor mouth using land-based equipment. The access channel was kept clear and open for vessel use in the project's off hours.

“While it is important to complete this project as soon as possible, we have arranged with our contractor during this next phase to provide access for boaters to enter and exit the harbor, on a limited basis that works around the construction schedule,” said Young.

The entrance channel will be closed during dredge barge operating hours, Monday to Thursday, except for state holidays, during daytime hours from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for the duration of the project, which is expected to be completed in May.

The entrance channel will be opened when the dredge barge stops operating on weekends -- on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and state holidays.

It will also be opened overnight, from 3:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Monday through Thursday. For emergency access to the harbor, boaters should call the contractor on VHF Channel 69.

Boaters utilizing the launch ramp and/or harbor should exit before 7 a.m. and return after 3:30 p.m., as the barge will block the harbor entrance channel.

Boaters needing more information about the project may contact Glenn Mayeda, Wailoa Harbor Agent at 933-0414, or via e-mail at dlnr.bd.wailoaharbor@hawaii.gov

Since January, DLNR contractor American Marine Corp. has been doing maintenance dredging of the harbor mouth.

This project is needed to remove shoaled areas which have created a navigational hazard. Approximately 25,000 cubic yards of material will be removed from the entrance channel and outer portion of the Wailoa Small Boat Harbor.

The dredged material will be dewatered at the adjacent Hilo Bayfront Beach Park, and when “dry” will be trucked to a State-owned parcel located along Kamehameha Avenue and Manono Street. The dredged material, which consists mainly of sand will be tested and stockpiled for future use.

For the duration of this project, a portion of the Bayfront Beach Park closest to the harbor will be closed to the public. Also, the makai portion of the parking lot in the Wailoa Small Boat Harbor will be utilized by the contractor for equipment and material storage.

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