Hanauma Bay closed for paving
By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser East Honolulu Writer
HAWAI'I KAI — Hanauma Bay is closed for two weeks starting today so construction crews can pave a new road down to the bay.
That means no snorkeling among the colorful fish, no tram rides to and from the beach. Not even a stop at the lookout. From Kalaniana'ole Highway, the bay will be shuttered and is not expected to reopen before May 1.
The textured concrete roadway connecting the upper and lower levels of the bay requires dry weather and a long time to cure, said Peter Rappa, a University of Hawai'i Sea Grant College marine science faculty member in charge of the Hanauma Bay education center.
The city did not respond to repeated phone calls regarding the status of the construction or when the more than $10 million worth of construction to the upper and lower portions of the bay will be done.
The two-week closure was anticipated. The installation of sidewalks, a new guard shack, wheelchair ramps and landscaping also are planned during this time. The city initially planned to close the bay last Wednesday, but the contractor was running behind schedule.
Construction at the bay includes an education center, where visitors will be shown a video on water safety and reef preservation, a gift shop and snack shop, and new restrooms and shower facilities on the beach. The work was to have been completed in November. Construction began a year ago, but was delayed when utility lines had to be placed underground, a water main needed replacing and loose rocks along the cliff leading down to the bay had to be removed.
While the park is closed, Rappa and his staff will continue to train volunteers and docents. The city cashiers and employees of the Hanauma Bay Tram have either taken vacation or leave or been reassigned to other areas, said Alan Hong, bay manager.
"We're not going to have any business," said Bob Chase, Hanauma Bay Tram manager. "Two weeks without revenues, we'll have to tighten our belt straps.
"It's been pretty much common knowledge that the bay will close to work on the road."
Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com or 395-8831.
