Hāna Pier Improvements Proposal to be Discussed

Hāna Pier. File Photo by Wendy OSHER.

Proposed improvements to Hāna Pier in East Maui will be discussed during an informational meeting hosted by the state Department of Transportation, Harbors Division on Dec. 17, 2015.

The department has been working on an Environmental Impact Statement for proposed improvements to Hāna Pier recommended in The Hāna Harbor Development Plan, which was completed in 2011.

During the scoping of the EIS state officials say members of the Hāna community voiced opposition to the commercial use of the pier.

State officials say excluding commercial use does not align with the mission of HDOT-Harbors which is to manage commercial harbors for loading, off-loading, and handling of cargo, passengers, and vessels.

Hāna pier, file photo 2011 by Wendy Osher.

In order to better understand the sentiment of the greater Hāna community, a survey has been sent out to each household within the Hāna zip code.

The upcoming meeting is being organized to discuss the alternatives available to HDOT-Harbors and to answer any questions about the survey.

For those outside the Hāna zip code, or others who want additional representation, this meeting is an opportunity to share opinions about the future of Hāna Pier.

The completed survey must be postmarked by Dec. 21, 2015.

Hāna pier, file photo 2008, by Wendy Osher.

While it isn’t a vote, the results of the survey will contribute in the decision to improve the pier.
The upcoming meeting is slated to begin at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015 at Helene Hall located at Hāna Beach Park at 150 Keawa Place.

The meeting will consist of an open house starting at 5 p.m., followed by a presentation at 5:30 p.m. and will close with a question and answer session.