Years Later, Kilauea lava flow disaster recovery efforts still haven’t started

Dear Editor,    Dec 3, 2024

If community development was a competitive sport, the County, State, and Federal Kilauea lava flow disaster relief efforts in lower Puna would be running nose to nose to nose.  Regrettably, they're all still crouched on the starting blocks.

So what is the six-year-old Pohiki boat ramp dredging project waiting for?

Starting with the Federal Management Agency:  The $90 million project that includes replacing the highway and waterline along the coast between Kapoho and Pohiki is on hold because of a dispute about the bid specifications.  Basically, all construction on the shoreline access road has come to a standstill until a disagreement about just how much mountain there is for Mohamad to move can be resolved.  

Then there's the County's refurbishment of Isaac Hale Beach Park.  There's a pile of disaster relief money waiting to be released to rebuild the area into a replication of a Native Hawaiian fishing community designed and policed by a local militia.  Plans have been drawn up, grants have been approved, and the stewards have been selected.  What's the hold up?  The $3.1 million of funding can't be released until the road and waterline are installed.  

Tying for last place in performance is the State's $4.5 million Pohoiki boat ramp dredging adventure.  The construction specifications were published and Goodfellow, Bros. was the low bidder for the debris removal.  Unfortunately, the low bid was far higher than the amount of funding available, so the entire project is on hold until the Governor agrees to pay more ransom money.

And how much dredging are we talking about?  A channel 325 feet long and 160 feet wide.  Or about how much gravel a couple of guys on Bobcats can move in a week.

So when will the Pohoiki boat ramp be reopened?   Possibly before the next lava flow.

T. Athens

Pahoa, Hawaii