Dredging and facility upgrades to begin at Maunalua Bay Boat Ramp in Hawaii

Maintenance dredging and facility improvements are scheduled to begin at the Maunalua Bay Boat Ramp in Hawaii Kai, the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) has announced. The agency awarded a $6.8 million contract for the work to American Marine Corporation, with a start date of July 28.

The project involves dredging sand from the boat ramp's entrance channel, which will then be reused for beach nourishment on adjacent eroded shorelines on both sides of the ramp. To contain the reused material and prevent future shoreline erosion, new sheet pile walls will be installed. The scope of the work also includes other seawall repairs.

The overall project is estimated to be completed by April 2026. DOBOR stated that no full closure of the boat ramp or entrance channel is anticipated for the duration of the project, though intermittent interruptions may occur. The contractor will work with users to ensure any impacts are limited, the agency added. A pre-construction public meeting to present project details was scheduled for July 25 at the boat ramp facility.

Meghan Statts, DOBOR Administrator, noted that significant community involvement in the planning phase helped to optimise ramp access and develop effective erosion resistance measures.