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 September 19, 2017

LAHAINA HARBOR, MALA BOAT RAMP MAINTENANCE DREDGING TO START IN OCTOBER
Community information meeting scheduled Sept. 25 in Lahaina

LAHAINA —   The Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold a public information meeting to explain to Maui boaters and community the project scope and planned fall schedule for maintenance dredging at Lahaina Harbor and Mala Boat Ramp.  DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation staff will accept input/comments on current shoaling conditions, and answer questions.  The meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 25, 2017 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the West Maui Senior Center, 788 Pauoa St. in Lahaina. 

On Sept. 25, contractor American Marine Corporation will begin mobilizing equipment on-site and preparing the dewatering site by installing the necessary best management practices, such as dust fencing for dredge materials at Mala and full depth silt curtain for in-water work. In-water dredging at Mala Boat Ramp is scheduled to start October 9 and be completed by October 20. 

Dredging will then start at Lahaina on October 23 and be completed by December 29.

This $1.2 million dredging project will deepen the currently shallow harbor entrance channel, which is critical for safe passage of boat traffic in and out of the harbor.  The Lahaina Small Boat Harbor is a vital port for residents and visitors to Maui County for inter-island transit, recreational activities, and cruise ship visits. DLNR officials and the contractor will work with harbor and boat ramp users to provide up to date project information and options to minimize disruptions during the project.

The dredging work will take place Monday through Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The contractor will keep both Mala Boat Ramp and the Lahaina SBH entrance channels accessible throughout the construction period. They will work with allowing access for cruise ships and ferries that routinely use Lahaina harbor.

Lahaina small boat harbor was last dredged in 2012. The project will consist of removal, transportation, stockpiling, dewatering, and disposal of approximately 5,000 to 7,000 cubic yards of sediment from the Lahaina Small Boat Harbor entrance channel and mooring, and approximately 1,000 to 2,000 cubic yards of sediment from the Mala Boat Ramp basin and entrance channel.

Media contact:

Deborah Ward
Communications Specialist
Dept. of Land and Natural Resources
(808)-587-0320
[email protected]