Repairs to Result in 2 Month Closure of Māla Boat Ramp

Māla, file photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

The Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold a public information meeting this afternoon to discuss improvement plans for Māla boat launch ramp that will result in a two month closure of the facility.

The $892,000 project calls for the replacement of two existing concrete loading docks and a portion of the Māla boat launch ramp, as well as parking and related improvements, state officials said.

Māla, file photo by Wendy Osher.

DLNR officials described the docks are “old and badly deteriorated.”  According to information released by the agency, officials said the docks need to be replaced before they become a safety hazard.

In order to replace the loading docks, state officials say portions of the boat launch ramp and facility would need to be closed for two months, which will in turn impact recreational and commercial boaters that regularly use the facility.

In announcing the meeting, DNLR officials said the objective is to determine a mutually agreeable two month closure period for the boat ramp loading dock construction and how to mitigate impacts at the only boat launch ramp facility in West Maui.

Today’s meeting runs from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Kamehameha III Elementary School cafeteria.

Māla, file photo by Wendy Osher.

Among those in attendance will be Maui lawmakers Rep. Angus McKelvey, and Sen. Roz Baker.

Also attending will be staff from the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, as well as the contractor, Goodfellow Bros. Inc.

A large, $669,000 portion of the project, is covered by federal funds from a Sportfish Restoration Act for Boat Access grant administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

The remaining $223,000 is funded by a state appropriation, officials said.

***Supporting information courtesy State of Hawaiʻi, DLNR.