Māla Ramp Repairs to Start in March 2014

Māla Boat Ramp, file photo courtesy State of Hawaiʻi, Office of the Governor.

By Maui Now Staff

A March 17, 2014 start date has been set for a repair project at Māla Ramp, that will result in a two-month closure, officials said.

The decision to begin construction was reached on Thursday night after a meeting between state boating officials and ramp users, according to a department announcement.

Officials with the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation Maui district say that once the repairs begin, the facility will close completely while the $892,000 project to replace the facility’s two concrete loading docks is underway.

The projected work period is 60 days.

“We plan to keep this heavily used ramp open during the holiday season, to accommodate local fishers, who want to launch into the waters off western Maui when there’s an increase in demand for access and certain fish stocks,” said William J. Aila, DLNR chairperson in a press release statement.

“We have assurances from our Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation that it is physically possible for the ramp and existing piers to remain open and usable until the repair project start date,” said Aila.