Dredging of Hilo’s Wailoa Small Boat Harbor finally underway

A long-anticipated dredging project in a Hilo harbor is finally underway.

The $3.1 million dredging of Wailoa Small Boat Harbor began Monday and should be complete by the end of the year, if not sooner.

Depending on the location, sediment build up and available funding, the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation attempts to conduct dredging operations in state small boat harbors every 5 to 8 years.

Dredging at Wailoa became a critical concern for Hawai‘i Island boaters after the Pohoiki boat ramp was surrounded and cut off by lava during the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea volcano.

The Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, hearing community input, fast tracked the contracting, permitting and design process. Officials were able to get it done in about 5 months, compared with the 9 it normally takes, despite the several hurdles that still had to happen before work could begin.

“The first thing that has to happen is funds have to be allocated. Once the funds are appropriated, there then has to be a request to release the funds, and that takes time,” said boating division engineer Finn McCall. “Only when the funds are released can we actually begin actions on a project. That includes design, permitting and environmental reviews.”

So far this week, a shore-based excavator and front-end loader are moving dark brown soil from the harbor basin and spreading it along the shoreline, where ultimately it will be trucked away.

A barge carrying an excavator will move into the basin proper in the next few weeks, and while lengthy closures are not anticipated, McCall said he expects there will be periodic, short closures as the barge moves around.

“The frequency of dredging really depends on the amount of debris and sediment that flows into a harbor. That material can block boats and create safety hazards,” said Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation Administrator Meghan Statts. “We’re excited this project is underway and ask for everyone’s continued patience as the work proceeds over the next few months.”