LAHAINA, Hawaii — An important milestone in the restoration of Lahaina came Tuesday when Lahaina Small Boat Harbor’s fuel dock reopened to area boaters.

What You Need To Know

  • In addition to no electricity, water or internet, which were essential to the rebuilding effort, President of Pacific West Fuels Gary Strutz said, “We also would need to obtain an amount of cash to fund the rebuild and it could be years before we’d be able to earn a profit”

  • Strutz said he explained the situation to shareholders and “without hesitation, they said they’d make as much money as was needed available to rebuild and wanted us to do as soon as possible”

  • Completely self-funded, the newly built system cost roughly $750,000

The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation made the announcement alongside Pacific West Fuels, its fuel vendor at the harbor.

President of Pacific West Fuels Gary Strutz said in a release that last November the DLNR had asked him when the company planned to rebuild. It was a difficult decision, said Strutz.

“Emotionally, of course we wanted to rebuild our business of 35 years, but logically, we had to consider that over 80% of our customers’ boats had burned and that the harbor might not reopen for two or more years. There were also the more practical issues of not having any electricity, no water, no internet, all of which were essential to our rebuilding effort and also to our future operations. So we had to improvise.

“We also would need to obtain an amount of cash to fund the rebuild and it could be years before we’d be able to earn a profit,” shared Strutz. He said he explained the situation to shareholders and “without hesitation, they said they’d make as much money as was needed available to rebuild and wanted us to do as soon as possible.”

The company had established the first fuel dock in 1989. Completely self-funded, the newly built system cost roughly $750,000.

“Considering the devastation from the wildfires nearly a year ago, the overall progression of the above-ground fuel system rebuild was measured,” explained Johnny Pender, site manager for Pacific West Fuels. “A project of this complexity, combined with the conditions within the harbor, made it a big undertaking. All parts were either replaced or reconstructed. New electrical components, plumbing, generators, and a card reader for making payments offer a system that’s reliable and self-sustaining.”

In addition to the completion of the fuel dock, damaged piles and anchors have also been removed. Other improvements yet to come include dredging of the harbor basin and entrance channel, reconstruction of the inner marginal wharf, replacement of front row piers and outer marginal wharf, and replacement of the harbor office, which is anticipated to begin in the fall.

“As we approach one year since the Lahaina wildfires, images of a town and harbor ravaged by fire and the loss of life undoubtedly continue to occupy the hearts and minds of people on Maui, across the state, and throughout the nation,” stated DOBOR Administrator Meghan Statts. “This important step to rebuild infrastructure and resources at the harbor, for Lahaina and West Maui residents, will hopefully aid in the sense of overall recovery.”