Temporary repairs are being made to a condemned dock at the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor, but state officials are hopeful they can persuade the Legislature next year to approve $3.3 million to replace it entirely along with two other nearby docks that are nearly as dilapidated.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources condemned D Dock in July after engineers decided it was unsafe. The closure forced 46 boat owners to relocate to other parts of the Ala Wai harbor and to other state harbors.

Last week, workers started crafting a $23,000 plywood-and-galvanized-steel cap that fits over the crumbling dock. Nearby B and C docks could be next, if work on D Dock goes well.

"This is a temporary fix so we can extend the life of the dock a few more years," said DLNR Chairman Peter Young, as workers behind him screwed long blue fasteners into the dock with noisy screw guns.

When the repairs are finished late next month, the state will be able to use all 58 slips on D Dock, he said. In years past, slips had been condemned individually, reducing the number available to 46.

In July, state engineers thought they would have to condemn B and C docks, but have not done so yet. The state still believes they are safe for boaters but would still like to repair the two docks, Young said.

"We have not relocated the boaters yet," he said. "We are hopeful that this improvement will prove to be successful and appropriate. And we would just move it over to B and C and make the appropriate repairs there, again, with the idea of extending the life of the dock with a small investment at this time."

Land use officials have asked state lawmakers for $10 million each year for the past three years to improve the harbors, including a request this past session for work at the Ala Wai. They were rebuffed each year.

The state will ask for money again when the Legislature convenes in January.

"This should be our crown jewel harbor and it can be," said Ed Underwood, acting boating division administrator.

The condition of D Dock had grown especially bad and boaters had complained for years.

The dock is a floating concrete-and-foam sandwich held together on its sides like a picture frame by thick wooden planks bolted to the concrete. The 40-year-old docks had been patched many times and finally crumbled to the point where they were no longer attached to the planks.

"Let's put it this way," said Eric Hirano, chief engineer for DLNR. "I would say that while I was walking on it I would want to wear a life preserver."

Hirano said the repairs by D&C Construction should last about two years.

Reach Mike Gordon at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com.