Posted on: Thursday, May 30, 2002

Fixes approved for Kailua Pier

Advertiser Staff

HILO, Hawai'i — Repairs for Kailua Pier in North Kona have been approved by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

The 600-foot-long pier has been partially closed since 1999 for safety reasons.

A $3.5 million contract has been awarded to Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co. for structural repairs. An additional $613,000 will be needed to repave the pier and make other repairs. Legislators have pledged to seek additional money next session.

Business and community leaders hope the repairs will allow cruise ships to anchor in Kona. Without a wharf, the vessels must shuttle passengers to shore, and many cruise operators have decided to bypass Kona in favor of docking in Hilo.

Work on the pier is expected to begin by mid-summer and will take about 12 months.