Department of Land and Natural Resources

For Immediate News Release: January 27, 2021

LONG-AWAITED BOAT LOADING DOCK AT MAUNALUA BAY SET TO OPEN THIS WEEK 

New Modern Dock Replaces Collapsed One 

(Honolulu) – For most of the past year, boaters using the busy State Boat Ramp at Maunalua Bay in East O‘ahu have not had the benefit of a loading dock. By Friday, a new $400,000 dock will be completed. 

This morning a crane lifted the new dock into the water between the bay’s two concrete boat ramps. The structure is water-resistant, marine-grade aluminum and the decking is engineered plastic…both of which give the dock at least a 30-year life span. All of the hardware, like the cleats are corrosion resistant stainless steel or aluminum. 

Finn McCall, an engineer with the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) watched as the final parts of the dock were placed and then did a visual inspection. He’s heard from many boaters who were eager to see the work completed. McCall said, “We appreciate everyone’s patience during this long period of construction. I know many boaters are very excited to see this project completed. Now it will be easy to load and unload boats, and most importantly, safe.” 

The old pre-cast concrete structure literally caved in on itself more than a year ago, rendering it unsafe and unusable. DOBOR actually condemned that dock. Last November concrete was pumped into a wooden frame to create the superstructure for the new dock.  

State Representative Gene Ward was a champion for the new dock. He commented, “On behalf of the fishing, recreational and boating community in Hawai‘i Kai, a robust shout out and mahalo to DLNR for replacing the Maunalua Bay loading dock on-time and on-budget, (well almost).” Construction delays did keep the dock from being completed on the intended date. 

While the crane was on site today, it was also used to move concrete barriers away from the edge of the boat ramp. DOBOR officials say the new loading dock could be ready for use as soon as tomorrow, but certainly by Friday. 

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Media Contact: 

Dan Dennison 
Senior Communications Manager 
(808) 587-0396 
[email protected]