For immediate release: March 4, 2008
DLNR TO HOST INFORMATION MEETING
ON LAHAINA FERRY PIER PROJECT
Public will be able to comment on project EISLAHAINA - The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will host a public information meeting on its Lahaina Small Boat Harbor Ferry Pier Project on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the West Maui Senior Center, 788 Pauoa Street in Lahaina.
"DLNR is proposing to build a new pier to provide a dedicated facility for the existing inter-island ferry which serves the residents of Maui, Moloka'i and Lana'i," said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairperson.
"The current pier at the harbor serves many uses &endash; commercial recreation, cruise ship tenders and the inter-island ferry &endash; as well as fueling station, sewage pump-out and fish crane. This new pier will serve the Lahaina-Kaunakakai commuter ferry service and the existing Lahaina ferry providing service to Manele, Lana'i. It will benefit the community with improved safety and operational efficiency," Thielen said.
The new pier will be built approximately 60 feet to the north of the existing pier at the Lahaina Small Boat Harbor. The new pier will be approximately 115 feet long and 35 feet wide, will rest on piles, and will be able to accommodate approximately 100 passengers. A low-rise, open-sided structure on the deck of the new pier is proposed to provide shade and shelter for pier users.
The Lahaina Small Boat Harbor Ferry Pier Project includes:
- dredging to widen the entrance channel to Lahaina Small Boat Harbor;
- development of a berthing area to the north of the new pier;
- construction of two sewage pump-out stations;
- construction of a concrete pedestrian walkway measuring 16 feet by 60 feet to connect the existing pier with the new pier structure; replacement of the existing -administration office and ferry ticket booth;
- construction of passenger loading and drop off area;
- relocation and expansion of on-site parking stalls;
- construction of sidewalk expansion along the northwestern portion of Hotel Street;
- resurfacing of a portion of Wharf Street.
This project is supported by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration and the State of Hawai'i, Department of Transportation.
Pursuant to Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR ''1500-1508) implementing the procedural provisions National Environmental Policy Act, and Hawai'i Revised Statutes, Chapter 343, the DLNR has given notice via legal advertisement in the Maui News that a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been prepared for the proposed Lahaina Small Boat Harbor Ferry Pier Improvements. The Draft EIS was published in the Office of Environmental Quality Control, Environmental Notice and the Federal Register on February 8, 2008. A 45-day period has been established for comments on this document.
Interested parties may submit comments in writing or orally at the public informational meeting. Written comments should be submitted to Eric Hirano, P.E., Engineering Division, State of Hawai'i, Department of Land and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 373, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96809. Comments should be received or postmarked by the end of the 45-day comment period, on or before, March 24, 2008.
# # # For more information, contact:
Deborah Ward
DLNR Public Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320Eric Hirano
Engineering Division, DLNR
Ph: (808) 587-023022 Second Rip and Read: The Department of Land and Natural Resources will host a public information meeting on the Lahaina Small Boat Harbor Ferry Pier Project, Wednesday, March 12, 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the West Maui Senior Center, 788 Pauoa Street in Lahaina. DLNR is proposing to build a new inter-island ferry pier to accommodate ferry service through Lahaina Small Boat Harbor. The public is encouraged to attend.
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