The Kawaihae South Small Boat Harbor is a $8.45 million project that was in the works for 11 years to the day it was dedicated on November 10, 2014 according to Representative Cindy Evans. $1.5 million was awarded at the time of its dedication for the third and final phase to install 45-foot long, three-lane launch ramp as preferred by majority of Hawaii boaters.
On January 22, 2017, more than two years passed since the dedication. The harbor is still gated with locks; only those with keys can access its facilities. The harbor has a private yacht club feel with its locked gates where the parking lot sits empty, and the bathrooms, too, are closed. The beautiful paved half-mile-long road leading from its locked dedicated entrance to the harbor is frequented only by pigeons or occasional tourists from Spencer Park and Pu`ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site. Its blacktop is still dark from lack of use.
Recently, locals were having a lively discussion about the harbor just beyond behind a gate under the shade of a heliotrope tree in the adjacent Pua Ka ‘Ilima ‘O Kawaihae Surf Park. They wondered why the bathrooms over there with hot and cold water were off-limits. None of us could come up with a good reason. One man asked who paid for it. All others said in unison: “We all paid for it !”
I think DLNR and DBOR need to explain better why taxpayers who funded the $8.45 million Kawaihae South Small Boat Harbor must use two heavily used porta potties the Surf Park rented. At the same time, a few fortunate boaters with slips ( how did they acquire a boat slip anyway?) get their private bathrooms.
Some Contact Information:
Kawaihae Facilities
Mia Akau-laclair, Harbor Agent ii
Mailing Address: Honokohau small boat harbor
74-380 Kealakehe Parkway, Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i 96740-2704
ph: (808) 327-3685 fax: (808) 327-3675
email: mia.f.akau-laclair@hawaii.gov
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