Federal funding for Kikiaola harbor improvements passes key vote

Dredging the Kikiaola small boat harbor entrance and an access channel and modifying existing breakwaters are in the works on the Westside.

The plan has been supported by business owners in Waimea and other Westside towns, and opposed by some Westside residents who say the improvements aren’t needed.

The proposed improvements are part of $3.6 million in federal funds Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawai‘i) and House Rep. Ed Case Hawai‘i, (Second District) are pursuing to improve the harbor.

If the federal funds become available, they would improve navigation through the harbor and strengthen breakwaters that protect the harbor.

The funds would allow for the continued use of the harbor, viewed by local fishermen and residents as a valuable recreational asset to west Kaua‘i.

The $3.6 million for the proposed improvements is part of $11.5 million the Senate Appropriations Committee approved Thursday for Hawai‘i water projects, Inouye said in a news release.

Case said he successfully had the same $3.6 million put in the 2004 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill, which was passed by the House Friday.

For the Kikiaola project, another $3 million would be needed for its completion, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Honolulu office. The agency would monitor the project as it unfolds.

Kikiaola harbor is located between Waimea and Kekaha.

The navigational improvements would eliminate dangerous breaking wave conditions and allow for safe passage of vessels entering the harbor basin, according to a report released by Army Corps spokesman Alexander Kufel.

When ocean currents have brought in sand that have nearly closed the harbor mouth, some fishermen have had to jump out of their boats and pull their vessels through.

The project is in “the preconstruction engineering and design phase,” and a contract is anticipated to be awarded in August, 2004, according to the Army Corps report.

The contract would be awarded after the completion of another report and a “project cooperation agreement” between the state and the federal government is consummated.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation strongly supports the project, and has requested that a state plan calling for 45 berths for boats be developed in conjunction with the federal improvements.

Army Corps spokeswoman Sharon Ishikawa said the federal government would not pay for the development of the 45 berths.

She said the federal government also would not cover the cost of a proposal to shuttle luxury liner passengers to the harbor for one-day trips.

Some west Kaua‘i businessmen supported the idea because they felt it could give a significant economic boost to west Kaua‘i.

While welcoming dredging of the harbor, longtime fishermen have opposed the passenger-shuttle proposal. They said the harbor has been traditionally used for recreational fishing and that such a practice should continue.

The dredging and breakwater project would be funded at a cost of $6.9 million, of which $5.5 million would come from federal sources, and $1.4 million would come from other sources, the report said.

Of the $6.9 million, the state would put up $800,000 for berthing improvements.

The $3.6 million for the Kikiaola project is part of a $11.5 million U.S. Department of Energy and Water Development appropriation bill for fiscal year 2004.

The funding proposal is to be sent to the full Senate for vote. If the measure is approved, it will be sent to the House-Senate Conference Committee to rectify any disagreements.

If the House and Senate approve the final version, the proposal will be sent to President Bush for signature. Case said the $3.6 million is part of a $5.8 million funding request for projects in his district, which includes the neighbor islands and rural O‘ahu.

Staff writer Lester Chang can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) and mailto:lchang@pulitzer.net