Project to Expand Kawaihae Small Boat Berthings Set for June

The US Army Corps of Engineers has given the go-ahead for a project that will increase the number of berths at the Kawaihae Small Boat Harbor.

The project involves construction of an 8-foot wide, 445-foot long floating dock which will provide 25 new berthing stalls.

The project had been delayed for more than 4½ years while the impact to coral and endangered species was analyzed. The Corps issued a permit for the project on March 21.

Groundbreaking for the project is scheduled for June.

“I am pleased that we will now be moving forward with the much-needed improvements to the Kawaihae Small Boat Harbor (South),” said Sen. Malama Solomon, who represents District 4, encompassing Hilo, Hāmākua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa and Kona. “These improvements have been long-awaited by the North Hawaiʻi community and will greatly enhance the safety and capacity of our harbor.”

The south section of the Kawaihae Small Boat Harbor was initially dredged in the 1970s. Protective breakwaters were completed in the late 1990s.