McKelvey

LAHAINA — West Maui lawmakers announced that the long-awaited Lahaina Harbor Improvement Project has been successfully awarded and finalized.

Construction will begin with a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 9, at 4 p.m. at Lahaina Harbor.

During the project, the deteriorating wharf that runs along Lahaina Harbor will be replaced, along with lighting in the pier area.

The electrical system that services the boats along the docks will be upgraded, and surface asphalt in the harbor will be repaved.

Sea Engineering won the bid for the $2 million job for the pier and utility project. Dorvin D. Leis Co. Inc. (plumbing), South Pacific Steel (reinforcing steel), Sonny Vicks Paving Inc. (paving) and Ekolu Electric LLC (electrical work) are also working on the project.

The harbor’s parking area and road that runs behind King Kamehameha III Elementary School will be repaved to improve parking and make the area Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant.

“This represents the final leg of the infrastructure triangle that we have vocally advocated for as so far as improving our West Maui infrastructure goes,” said Tenth District Rep. Angus McKelvey.

“Along with the Lahaina Bypass, the widening of the Honoapiilani Highway and the ongoing repair and maintenance projects to our schools, the Lahaina Harbor project will not only be a much-needed return on investments made to the state by the taxpayers of West Maui, but also help to keep Lahaina a premier visitor destination, which in turn helps to fuel our economy.”

“Lahaina Harbor is a hub of commerce and recreation in Lahaina Town and is in need of upgrades. This project is long overdue, as the existing marginal pier along the outer breakwater is over 30 years old,” said Fifth District Sen. Rosalyn Baker, who, along with fellow Democrat McKelvey, secured funding for the project during the 2008 Legislative session in Act 158 SLH 2008.

“I know harbor users will be happy to see the old pier structure replaced with a new engineered aluminum-framed pier and new utilities,” Baker added.

“When completed, this project will provide a much-needed safety and functional facelift in the harbor.”

McKelvey praised Harbormaster Hal Silva and his staff for “all their hard work and ingenuity in doing repairs just to keep the harbor going and keeping people from falling in the water.”

In related news, McKelvey said that the design for a project to replace the finger pier and stanchions at Mala Wharf was recently completed and approved by the state Department of Land & Natural Resources. The next step is to seek funding.

“Senator Baker and I plan to make going after these much-needed construction funds a top priority next session, so that we can keep those much-needed improvements on track for the fishermen and other users of Mala Wharf,” McKelvey concluded.