Department of Land and Natural Resources

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

NEIL ABERCROMBIE GOVERNOR

WILLIAM J. AILA JR, CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate News Release March 14, 2014 

MALA WHARF CLOSING MARCH 17
FOR TWO-MONTH REPAIR PROJECT

WAILUKU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will close the Mala boat launch ramp to public use for two months, starting Monday, March 17, to demolish and replace two existing concrete loading docks and make repairs to portions of the boat ramp. The project will cost approximately $1.1 million. The ramp is scheduled to be closed for 60 days, until May 16, 2014. Public meetings with boaters have been conducted which set this date for start of the repair project.

No launching or retrieving of vessels will be allowed at Mala after 7:30 a.m. March 17. At that time, project contractor Goodfellow Bros. Inc., will put up a security gate to prevent entry to the launch ramp parking area and construction staging area, from the south side of the washdown to the north entrance of the harbor. Silt curtains will also be installed in the early to mid-morning in the water at the lower part of the launch ramp.

The Maui district DOBOR office has posted notices at the ramp about the closure and times. Boaters who leave from Mala before March 17 but who are unable to return due to the ramp closure should plan to come out at Maalaea small boat harbor.

All boats that have current commercial permits for the ramp will be temporarily allowed to operate out of Lahaina small boat harbor during the Mala project.

For further information call the Lahaina small boat harbor office at (808) 662-4060.
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Media Contact:
Deborah Ward
Public Information Specialist
(808) 587-0320