Long-awaited dedging of Wailoa Small Boat Harbor in Hilo finally completed

The Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources is happy to announce the long-awaited dredging of Wailoa Small Boat Harbor in Hilo is finally finished.

Yes, you heard that correctly. It’s finally done.

Hawaiʻi Island boaters received an early holiday gift as dredging contractor American Marine wrapped up operations Nov. 27. The barge, which has occupied the harbor since the project began about 5 months ago, will be removed Saturday.

It’s removal is the last step to close out the project.

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

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

The frequency, however, depends on the amount of debris and sediment that flows into a harbor, which can block boats and create safety hazards.

It had been nearly 10 years since Wailoa Small Boat Harbor was last dredged, and it had become more than difficult for many vessels to get in and out at times because of sediment build up.

The Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, hearing the community’s concerns and input earlier this year, was able to fast-track the contracting, permitting and design process in about 5 months, compared with the 9 it normally takes, and the project began July 8.

It was estimated to cost $3.1 million, but the final price tag came in at $4.8 million.

A total of $3.2 million in state capital improvement funds, previously approved by the Hawaiʻi Legislature, was released in January by Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green for the dredging project and repairs to the boat ramp and pier.

The Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, which manages the harbor, covered the extra cost with revenue from statewide harbor and boating facility use fees.

“We appreciate the public’s patience, understanding and advocacy as [the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation] navigated the permitting and funding hurdles to get this project completed before the end of the year,” said the division’s administrator Meghan Statts. ”We also appreciate the [Hawai’i Legislature] for recognizing the importance of this project and providing funding.”