HANALEI — Residents and other frequent users of the state’s Hanalei Pier say the deteriorating roofline of the covered area at the makai end is an accident waiting to happen. Although there are signs warning people not to jump off
HANALEI — Residents and other frequent users of the state’s Hanalei Pier say the deteriorating roofline of the covered area at the makai end is an accident waiting to happen.
Although there are signs warning people not to jump off the pier, several residents who gathered there on a recent holiday weekend worry that some children might climb on the roof in order to jump into the ocean and either fall through the roof and land on the pier or fall through the roof and into the shallow water.
The Hanalei Pier belongs to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, according to state officials.
Ed Underwood, DOBOR administrator, said the pier was repaired quite a while ago using federal funds, then officially turned over to DOBOR.
DOBOR staff said they are looking at some salt-resistant types of roofing materials to replace the deteriorating roof on the pier, according to Deborah Ward, DLNR spokeswoman.
The existing roof is made of a type of concrete composite, Ward said.
“Though it’s resistant to salt spray it’s quite expensive,” she said via e-mail.
“We are looking at other materials that are also resistant to the salt spray but don’t cost as much to replace the existing roof,” Ward said. “Once we are able to determine what type of material we’ll use, we can set a schedule for repairs. Meanwhile, we replaced the vandalized warning signs on the pier and pavilion.”
There have been at least two accidents involving injuries in recent months where people have jumped off the pier and into the ocean.
