The DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation is hosting a virtual community meeting on Oct. 3 to provide updates on West Maui facilities and the resumption of commercial vessel operations in the area, according to a news release sent on Wednesday.
DOBOR held its first virtual meeting on Sept. 14, sharing information on the Lahaina Small Boat Harbor, Mala Wharf and Maalaea Small Boat Harbor. Nearly 100 commercial tour boat operators attended the meeting.
At the Sept. 14 meeting, DOBOR said it would first complete vessel salvage, debris clearing and harbor dredging at the Lahaina Small Boat Harbor, which was destroyed during the Aug. 8 fire. After that, DOBOR will rebuild its harbor office, piers and slips (parking spots for boats).
DLNR’s news release sent on Wednesday said “it could be at least a year before the Lahaina Small Boat Harbor has been reconstructed and available for vessel use.”
No timeline is available for the reopening of Mala Wharf, which was not damaged during the fire. However, it was closed because of a lack of access from the land and sea. According to Wednesday’s news release, Maui County is set to reopen Mala Wharf from the land side, while the U.S. Coast Guard lifts its ocean restrictions. DLNR will ensure harbor facilities are safe. The three agencies will coordinate efforts for the wharf's reopening.
DLNR Chair Dawn Chang said in Wednesday’s news release that even before the Lahaina fire there were conflicts between commercial boat operators at Mala Wharf and community recreational users.
“For this reason, we are encouraging fishers, commercial vessel operators and interested community members to attend this informational meeting so everyone can share and hear respective interests and concerns at the same time before decisions are made,” said DLNR Chair Dawn Chang.
At the first meeting, Chang said slips for displaced vessels are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Maalaea Small Boat Harbor. She also asked operators who currently have slips at Maalaea to consider sharing them. There is no additional parking capacity at the harbor.
The Oct. 3 meeting will be held from 9 to 11 a.m.
To attend, click on this Zoom link. Webinar ID: 811 4770 0639. Passcode: q6uWw7
Or to attend by phone, call 719-359-4580. Webinar ID: 811 4770 0639. Passcode: 947636
Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.