GOVERNOR LINGLE RELEASES $4,190,000 FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO ALA WAI SMALL BOAT HARBOR

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

For Immediate Release: March 3, 2008

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has released $4,190,000 for improvement projects at Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor, including the replacement of docks B, C and D; transient docks; and the row 700 and row 500 docks, as well as land infrastructure upgrades.

These projects follow on the heels of the recent replacement of dock F, for which Governor Lingle released $1,650,000. Together, these major repairs will help to increase use and improve safety at the state's largest recreational harbor, which has a total of 747 slips and a long waiting list of boaters requesting berth space.

"These projects represent a significant turning point for the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor," said Governor Lingle. "With this funding in place, our Department of Land and Natural Resources can move forward with critical improvements that will revitalize the harbor and ensure that it is safe for the thousands of boaters who use it each year."

"Thanks to the support of Governor Lingle and the Legislature, small boat harbors statewide are getting the attention they require," said Laura H. Thielen, director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. "These projects will provide the popular Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor with much-needed repairs, as well as additional revenue to assist the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation's operations."

Docks B, C and D: $3.5 million will be used to replace docks B, C and D. The docks were built more than 35 years ago and have exceeded their usable life; 80 of the 172 slips have been taken out of service due to safety concerns. Design work is scheduled to be completed in March 2008 and was funded by a previous allotment of $200,000. Construction is scheduled to begin in September 2008 and be completed in March 2009. Current slip holders will be temporarily accommodated at other slips during construction, which will start with dock B.

Transient Docks: $100,000 is allocated to match $300,000 in federal funds for the replacement of the harbor's transient docks, which serve boaters visiting the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor. The design phase has already received state and federal funding totaling $100,000, and is scheduled to begin in June 2008 and be completed in December 2008. Construction is scheduled to begin in July 2009 and be completed in June 2010.

Row 700 Docks: $140,000 will be used to design replacements for the row 700 docks that have been taken out of service due to safety concerns. Design is scheduled to begin in July 2008 and be completed in January 2009. Governor Lingle included an additional $2.5 million for this construction in the Administration's Supplemental Budget for Fiscal Year 2009, which is pending approval by the Legislature. Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2009 and be completed in July 2010.

Row 500 Docks: Built in 1957 and last repaired in 1986, row 500 has 27 finger piers, of which two are out of service. Governor Lingle's release of $250,000 will cover the design phase for replacing the docks. Design is scheduled to begin in August 2008 and be completed in July 2009. Construction is scheduled to begin in February 2010 and be completed in February 2011.

Land Infrastructure Improvements: $200,000 will be used to design upgrades to the harbor's land infrastructure, including water, sewer and electrical utilities that are in poor condition. Project design is scheduled to begin in August 2008 and be completed in July 2009. Construction is scheduled to begin in February 2010 and be completed in February 2011.

Governor Lingle has included a total of $10 million in the Administration's Supplemental Budget for Fiscal Year 2009 for the repair of small boat harbors statewide.

For more information, contact:

Laura H. Thielen
Director, DLNR
Phone: (808) 587-0401

Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043