Department of Land and Natural Resources

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR

SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate News Release May 1, 2018

18 LARGE DUMPSTERS FILLED WITH FLOOD DEBRIS DURING ALA WAI CLEAN-UP

(HONOLULU) – This afternoon maintenance and harbor workers from the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) will finish a four-day-long clean-up of the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor, Hawai‘i’s largest small boat harbor. DOBOR had hoped to retain a private contractor to clean up masses of debris that washed down the Ala Wai canal and into the harbor during and after the major rain storm more than two weeks ago.  Bids from contractors were either too high or lacked the proper paperwork, so after two rounds of bidding the division decided to do the work itself.

Beginning on April 26^th, ten workers spent approximately 180 man hours to remove debris from the harbor.  Much of it was cut wood or plastics.  They focused their efforts on the front row area and near the floating docks.  A permanent trash trap at the mouth of the canal is cleaned regularly when it fills with rubbish.  After the heavy rain, it was brim full and a private contractor did clean it.  Meghan Statts, DOBOR O‘ahu District Manager singled out staff who helped clean the Ala Wai harbor, saying, “This was hard, back-breaking work and we had people helping, when this was not among their regular duties. We again hope this highlights the need for all of us to properly dispose of or recycle their rubbish.  Whatever ends up on the ground or the water upstream in the watershed ultimately washes into the harbor and into the ocean.”

Dan Dennison
Senior Communications Manager
Hawaii Dept. of Land and Natural Resources
1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 131
Honolulu, HI  96813

[email protected]
[email protected]

(808) 587-0407 (Office)
(808) 295-8749 (Cell)

www.dlnr.hawaii.gov