Lahaina pier
raises debate

The structure serving interisland
ferries needs federal review,
say historical interests

LAHAINA » Federal officials who oversee national historic landmarks should review a proposal to add a pier at Lahaina Harbor, says Lahaina Restoration Foundation Executive Director George "Keoki" Freeland.

Because the proposed project is within the nationally designated Lahaina Historic District, federal historic officials should examine the proposed construction project, he says.

"We're not against the project," Freeland says. "We just want to make sure it's done properly."

A number of historic landmarks are located near the harbor, including the historic Hauola Stone, the birth site of royalty.

Lahaina was once the capital of the Hawaiian kingdom and has a number of historic sites dating to the 1800s.

Federal transportation and state boating officials are currently asking for public comments no later than Jan. 7 about the scope of a proposal to build a new interisland ferry pier at Lahaina Harbor.

The proposed pier would connect to the existing pier to the south and include a 35-by-116-foot deck, a shaded structure on the deck, a concrete walkway and a floating platform with movable gangway.

The new pier would enable the harbor to accommodate the unloading of passengers aboard two ferries.

The Federal Transit Administration and state Department of Land and Natural Resources are asking the public to comment on plans for an environmental impact statement about the proposed pier.

Passenger ferries travel regularly between Lahaina and the islands of Molokai and Lanai.

A copy of the proposed Lahaina Harbor ferry pier improvement may be reviewed at the Lahaina Library.

Written comments may be sent to the Eric Hirano, chief engineer, Engineering Division, State Department of Land and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 373, Honolulu 96809.