Improvement Work Completed at Kawaihae Harbor

The completion of the Kawaihae Harbor Pier 2 Terminal Improvements Project was celebrated by the Hawai’i Department of Transportation in a dedication ceremony Wednesday morning.

Various aspects of the Pier received improvements, including the resurfacing of 3.1 acres of the area’s cargo yard. The Harbors Division Office and Maintenance Facility was relocated, along with the comfort station structures. Among the estimated $7 million state fund, improvements were made to infrastructure improvement to improve lighting, fire-protection, and drainage. The cargo area also had energy-efficient LED lighting fixtures added to it, in addition to photovoltaic panels that will help reduce the use of energy.

A dedication ceremony was held for the completed Kawaihae Harbor Pier 2 Terminal Improvements Project on Wednesday morning. Department of Transportation photo.

“The new container yard provides additional space for cargo containers and increases operational acreage here by twelve percent,” said DOT Director Ford Fuchigami. “This additional capacity will help to keep up with the demands of growing communities and improve the Big Island’s resiliency during natural disasters.”

It has been estimated that about 80 percent of goods in Hawai’i are imported. Out of that number, 98 percent is loaded off the docks of commercial harbors.