Lahaina Harbor, Mala Boat Ramp Dredging to Begin

Dredging in 2012 at Mala Wharf. PC: Hawai‘i DLNR

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold a public information meeting on Monday, Sept. 25, 2017, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the West Maui Senior Center, 788 Pauoa St. in Lahaina.

DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation staff will share information about the project scope and planned fall schedule for maintenance dredging at Lahaina Harbor and Mala Boat Ramp as well as accept input and comments on current shoaling conditions and answer questions.

Contractor American Marine Corporation will begin mobilizing equipment on-site and preparing the dewatering site on Sept. 25 by installing the necessary best management practices, such as dust fencing for dredge materials at Mala and a full-depth silt curtain for in-water work.

In-water dredging at Mala Boat Ramp is scheduled to start Oct. 9 and will be completed by Oct. 20.

Dredging will then start in Lahaina on Oct. 23 and be completed by Dec. 29.

Lahaina Small Boat harbor. PC: Hawai‘i DLNR

This $1.2 million dredging project will deepen the currently shallow harbor entrance channel, which is critical for safe passage of boat traffic in and out of the harbor. The Lahaina Small Boat Harbor is a vital port for residents and visitors to Maui County for interisland transit, recreational activities and cruise ship visits.

DLNR officials and the contractor will work with harbor and boat ramp users to provide up to date project information and options to minimize disruptions during the project.

The dredging work will take place Monday through Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The contractor will keep both Mala Boat Ramp and the Lahaina SBH entrance channels accessible throughout the construction period. They will work with allowing access for cruise ships and ferries that routinely use Lahaina harbor

Lahaina small boat harbor was last dredged in 2012. The project will consist of removal, transportation, stockpiling, dewatering, and disposal of approximately 5,000 to 7,000 cubic yards of sediment from the Lahaina Small Boat Harbor entrance channel and mooring, and approximately 1,000 to 2,000 cubic yards of sediment from the Mala Boat Ramp basin and entrance channel.

Maintenance dredging will be performed by barge-mounted equipment. Either an excavator with an extended arm or crane with a clam shell bucket will be used. The sediment will be removed by a closed bucket and deposited into a water tight bin on the barge or dump scow. Once full, the barge or the dump scow will be towed to the Mala Boat Ramp, approximately one mile to the north of the project site. The sediment will be unloaded into watertight truck beds and transported to the designated stockpile site. Berms will be constructed around the stockpile site to contain the sediment and water within the site. No sediment or water will be allowed to discharge into the ocean. The sediment will be allowed to dry sufficiently before it is hauled by truck to an approved upland placement site.