After a two-year hiatus, breakwater lights and navigational buoys are coming back to the Kawaihae Harbor.
Lights on the breakwater were installed about two weeks ago, U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Nic Jarboe said Thursday. The navigational buoys, however, will take a bit longer.
The Coast Guard had “disestablished” the buoys marking the entrance on the south side of the harbor because there was so little boat traffic in the area, said Daniel Mersburgh, acting recreational harbor manager for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Now that boating traffic has increased, the state is looking for a way to put them back.
Both Jarboe and Mersburgh said they don’t recall any groundings in the interim. Some boaters, however, have worried about vessels running up against the coral reef because the buoys are no longer there to point the way to the deepest area.
Responding to community concerns, state Rep. Cindy Evans, D-North Kona, North Kohala, South Kohala, has scheduled a meeting about the South Kawaihae Recreational Harbor and North Kawaihae Recreational Harbor from 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Kawaihae Canoe Club. DLNR officials will give an overview of improvements to the South Kawaihae Harbor and future plans for the North Kawaihae Harbor, followed by an question and answer period.
In addition to the buoy issue, topics will include damages from flooding, the boat ramp for South Boat Harbor, security measures, update on road, waterline and master plan for South Kawaihae Harbor, breakwater at North Kawaihae Harbor, needs for North Kawaihae Harbor and storm water runoff at North Kawaihae Harbor, Evans said in a news release.
Evans was able to procure a $400,000 appropriation this past legislative session for North Kawaihae Boat Harbor.
“This meeting is an opportunity to identify what improvements are needed to make the harbor safe and more functional for the enjoyment of all who enjoy the ocean,” Evans said in a statement. “I strongly encourage the public to come to the meeting to provide their thoughts on issues and priorities they feel are important for the harbor.”
It’s not known how long it will take to re-install buoys.
The state plans to apply for a “private aids to navigation” permit for three buoys that the state will be in charge of maintaining.
Jarboe said it’s not unusual for local governments and other entities to install and maintain buoys in this manner, rather than relying on the Coast Guard to handle the projects. He said some harbors in the state have a mix of the federal and private buoys.
Once the Coast Guard approves the application, the state will still need a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers in order to anchor the buoys.