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Listening session scheduled for West Maui boaters and commercial operators

By Staff | Sep 28, 2023

At the earlier meeting, displaced Lāhainā Harbor and Mala Wharf (pictured on Sept. 26, 2023) commercial operators were informed to reach out to DOBOR for available slips at Ma‘alaea Small Boat Harbor. It could be at least a year before Lāhainā Small Boat Harbor has been reconstructed and available for vessel use. PHOTO COURTESY OF DLNR.

HONOLULU – The state Department of Land & Natural Resources’ Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) is hosting a virtual community informational meeting from 9 to 11 a.m. on Oct. 3 to provide status updates on DOBOR facilities in West Maui and answer questions related to resumption of commercial vessel operations on the West Side.

This is a follow-up meeting DLNR Chair Dawn Chang and representatives from the DOBOR had with commercial operators earlier this month.

The links for the Community and Commercial Operator Meeting on West Maui Boating facilities are:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81147700639?pwd=lieIx08CYgUrzegs13mEcQALdqXU5g.B6gfrYfqhAB3bIQE

Webinar ID: 811 4770 0639

Passcode: q6uWw7

Or by phone:

(719) 359-4580

Webinar ID: 811 4770 0639

Passcode: 947636

“We recognize that even before the Lāhainā fire, there were conflicts between commercial vessel operations, especially at Mala Wharf, and community recreational users. For this reason, we are encouraging fishers, commercial vessel operators and interested community members to attend this informational meeting so everyone can share and hear respective interests and concerns at the same time before decisions are made.” said Chang.

The reopening of Mala Wharf will be a coordinated effort with the County of Maui to ensure safe access from the land side, U.S. Coast Guard’s lifting its Safety Zone restriction from the ocean, and DLNR determining that harbor facilities are safe and adequate for the anticipated uses.