KAILUA-KONA — More than a year after Department of Land and Natural Resources officials said work was set to start on the north side of Honokohau Harbor, the improvements have not begun.
Large parking areas remain unpaved and without lighting. The east ramp loading dock is so decrepit it has been closed to the public for a year, waiting for a permit from the state Department of Health Clean Water Branch before it can be replaced. The boat washdown remains without drains and a pumpout station to service vessels has yet to be installed.
All of which didn’t sit too well with members of the Hawaii Senate Ways and Means Committee, who were unimpressed with the lack of progress on the projects as they toured the site Tuesday.
“This harbor in particular needs a lot of improvement,” said Oahu Sen. Glenn Wakai, taking in the tour. “It should be much more accommodating to visitors.”
The projects’ are planned and funded but have been delayed by red tape. DLNR officials last year had estimated the harbor would be spruced up by June 2015.
Sen. Jill Tokuda, chairwoman of Ways and Means, called on the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation to create a comprehensive plan for addressing both the backlog of current maintenance and the improvements needed for the future.
“I’d be looking for a master plan and a vision,” she said.
Tokuda said she will follow up on the projects that are funded to make sure they are moved upon quickly.
“Clearly we have issues the community would like to see addressed,” she said. “We need to get it done comprehensively, not bit by bit.”
DOBOR’s Hawaii District Manager Daniel Mersburgh said the contract for the paving and new washdown has been awarded, but the work was delayed when the National Park Service raised concerns about the plan to relocate the washdown closer to park property to the north. Mersburgh said progress is being made on a revised plan that creates a system for monitoring the runoff to make sure pollution is contained.
The park is concerned about the health of anchialine ponds and wetlands in the area, he said.
The small appropriations in the past to fix individual problems at the harbor haven’t been enough, Kona Sen. Josh Green said.
“They need a long-term plan and to come to the Legislature with a full ask,” Green said. “It’s a beautiful place. It just needs a lot of work.”
The group of about 15 lawmakers, including Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui, also toured the new Hawaii Community College — Palamanui campus, where the dust was still settling but the news was brighter.
Most of the campus functions moved from Kealakekua to the new site mauka of Kona International Airport over the summer. The new kitchen at the culinary center was certified for use last Friday. A separate but adjoining bakery brings the total culinary space to 2,000 square feet, giving students room to spread out.
“We were doing bakery and savory all in one kitchen; there wasn’t enough space,” said Paul Heerlein, associate professor and culinary program coordinator.
The program has 16 students enrolled and a capacity for 30, he said.
“With this beautiful state-of-the-art facility, we should have full enrollment next fall,” said Heerlein.