DLNR DEDICATION MARKS COMPLETION OF IMPROVEMENTS TO MANELE HARBOR FERRY FACILITY

MANELE, LANA'I -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources held a dedication ceremony for the completion of new interisland ferry facilities at the Manele Small Boat Harbor, Lana'i, on Wednesday, August 20.

The Manele Small Boat Harbor serves the inter-island ferry which departs from Lahaina and Maalaea Small Boat Harbors on the island of Maui.

The project was undertaken to improve existing ferry facilities and infrastructure and provide for a more efficient, hospitable, and safer commuter transit system at the Manele Small Boat Harbor.

"The State of Hawai'i recognizes that the existing commuter ferry operations between the islands of Lana'i, Moloka'i and Maui are vital in providing island residents with access to employment, business, social, health, and other essential services not found on their respective islands. The ferry supports the economic and social well being of the County of Maui as well as of the State of Hawai'i," said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairperson.

Although travel time by ocean is double that of air (45-minutes between Lana'i to Maui), resident commuters depend on the ferry services due to the significantly lower costs.

"We would like to thank our U.S. Congressional delegation, the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, Hawai'i State Legislature, the State Department of Transportation, Maui County, Castle and Cooke Resorts and the community of Lana'i for their commitment to make this project a reality," Thielen said.

The dedication ceremony was attended by Aaron Leong, representing U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye's office, Maui Senator J. Kalani English, Representative Mele Carroll, Maui County Council Chair Riki Hokama, Don Medeiros, Director, Maui Department of Transportation, Harry Saunders, president of Castle and Cooke Resorts, Ed Underwood, DLNR Boating Administrator, Eric T. Hirano, DLNR Chief Engineer, and Pastor Al Lopez.

Construction began in November 2006 and was completed this month on a new comfort station; administrative office; paved access roads and parking areas; water mains and fire hydrants; sewage pump station and force main; sewage pump out station; telephone utilities; electrical utilities and street lights; new covered waiting area; multi-use parking; storm water drainage systems, landscaping, closure of large capacity cesspools, and ADA improvements.

The total project cost was $13.77 million was cost-shared with the Federal Transit Administration, which provided $10.6 million and State Legislature, which provided an additional $3.17 million.

Project contractor was Maui Master Builders, Inc.; construction manager was Bowers-Kubota Management; and design consultant was Bow Engineering and Development, Inc.

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