Work began Monday at Honokohau Small Boat Harbor on the boat wash down area to improve drainage.
This project involves removing, hauling, and disposing of drain rock, silt, debris, etc. from the existing clogged and overflowing boat wash down area of the trench drain.
The wash down area was completed in 2016, but because of the design, sediment from the adjacent slope continuously clogged the drainage trench.
“It was designed for natural drainage, but there was just too much water,” said Harbor Agent Manao Ikeda. “It started flooding the first day it opened.”
Josh Waters of Drainpipe Plumbing and Solar LLC, the project contractor, said the first step is grubbing the green waste from the slope.
“Dirt eroded from the slope into the drain. We are going to re-cut the slope and dig out the trench drain,” he said. “Then we will put in a retaining wall and install grading on top of the drain so debris won’t clog it.”
The existing boat wash down area has been entirely shut down and will remain closed throughout the project’s duration, which is expected to be complete by the end of September. A temporary boat wash down area has been provided to boaters directly across the access road from the existing boat wash down. Six spigots have been installed in the area that was the previous wash down. Those spigots are drawing water from an adjacent fire hydrant.
Kris Henry, owner of Aloha Ocean Excursions, was washing down his Zodiac Thursday afternoon at the temporary location.
“Fortunately we have water to wash down our boats,” he said. “We are thankful to have something in the interim. It’s a small inconvenience but we adapt and hope for the best. It is our livelihood, recreation, health, morale and a way of life here.”
DNLR wants boaters to be aware that longer hoses or hose extensions may be necessary to ensure that their hose can reach their vessel from the temporary wash down. No other harbor facilities will be affected or closed.
The department also reminds boaters the use of wash down facilities is only for persons with a valid ramp decal. Due to the ongoing drought conditions throughout Hawaii, the DLNR recommends the following to conserve water:
Use a shutoff or pressure nozzle. Don’t let the hose run freely.
Wash boats and trailers with a bucket and sponge instead of a running hose.
Use only the minimal amount of water needed.
DLNR encourages reporting any unauthorized uses of washdowns or washdown water waste to DOCARE at (808) 643-3567 or through the DLNRTip App.
