State says old dock at Poka'i Bay dangerous, will be removed
By James Gonser
Advertiser Leeward Bureau
WAI'ANAE — An old wooden loading dock in Poka'i Bay that children use as a diving platform has become a hazard and will soon be removed by the state.
Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser
The dock is a remnant of the days before Wai'anae Boat Harbor was built and Poka'i Bay was used to launch and unload commercial boats.
The deteriorated dock in Poka'i Bay is a favorite diving spot in Wai'anae. The state has ordered its removal.
Today the pier is falling apart.
Children stand on the breakwater, dive through what remains of the dock's frame and into the shallow water, said Steve Thompson, O'ahu boating division manager for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
"The dock was built right up against the breakwater and kids have removed some of the planking so they can dive through the frame," Thompson said. "We had to decide to upkeep it or remove it. It is hardly used anymore and we can eliminate the safety problem, so it is coming out."
Safety Boats Hawa'i has been awarded the $12,839 contract to remove the pier. The work will take place sometime between May 17 and June 1. It is a three- to five-day job, Thompson said.
Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services administrator Ralph Goto said the loading dock has been a long-standing problem for lifeguards and there have been many incidents and injuries related to the pier. Lifeguards are glad it will finally be removed, Goto said.
The water near the pier is only 3 to 4 feet deep during low tide, according to lifeguards.
Wai'anae harbormaster William Aila Jr., who used to dive from the pier as a child, said it is rarely used today and only by boats with a shallow draft.
"Two hurricanes and a couple of tropical storms have damaged the pier, so it is no longer feasible to maintain it as a loading dock," Aila said. "Kids are having a great time, but it is falling into disrepair so it has become a danger."
Thompson said the contractor will likely load the old wood beams onto boats moored in the bay and will have to either remove the steel and concrete pilings or cut them off at the sandy bottom.
