Maui harbor expansion plan scaled back
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Associated Press
KAHULUI — A slowing economy has prompted the state Department of Transportation to propose dramatically shrinking a $350 million plan to upgrade and expand Kahului Harbor.
Michael Formby, the state's deputy transportation director for harbors, said shippers can't afford to pay the higher fees needed to cover the cost of the capital improvements.
The recent decision by Norwegian Cruise Line Ltd. to pull two of its three ships from the Hawai'i interisland market is another factor.
The new proposal has the state shelving plans to dredge the harbor, build docks and a west breakwater. The harbor's renovations would be limited to pier repairs and expansion, as well as the purchase of land on the harbor's east side.
The cost of the scaled down plan would drop to about $150 million.
The discussion came during a Friday meeting of a state task force to review Hawaii Superferry operations.
Formby's presentation immediately drew mostly positive reviews from residents who regularly use Maui's only commercial harbor for fishing, surfing and canoe paddling.
The 13 major users of Kahului Harbor, including Matson Navigation Co. and Young Brothers shipping, still need to meet with Transportation Department officials to discuss the new plans, Formby said.
Formby said he expects to formally change the plans in early July once he has the working group's anticipated approval.
"If I were a betting man, I'd say 'yes,' " Formby said. "There is an indication that it is going to go this way."
The latest plan calls for bulking up Pier 2B, repairing the harbor's fuel lines, moving existing cement silos and buying up privately owned industrial land surrounding the harbor for future expansion. Harbor traffic has been forecast to double by 2020.
Proponents say the plan is needed to meet needs of Maui's growing population while maintaining safety in the harbor.
But opponents said the ideas for the west breakwater would destroy traditional fishing and surfing spots and squeeze out paddlers who regularly use the protected harbor for practices and regattas.
