honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, November 6, 2006

Input sought on Kahului harbor plan

Advertiser staff

KAHULUI, Maui — A public scoping meeting will be held next Monday on Maui as part of the Kahului harbormaster planning process.

The meeting is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration and the state Department of Transportation's Harbors Division. Officials said they would like public input on issues to be addressed in the environmental impact statement — including demand for additional space and facilities, and organization of harbor space and facilities to promote orderly cargo and passenger operations and recreational activities.

The Maritime Administration will serve as the federal agency responsible for the EIS.

The meeting will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the Lihikai School cafeteria, 335 S. Papa Ave. in Kahului.

For translation and other special accommodations, contact John Kirkpatrick at 521-5361 by Wednesday.

The state Harbors Division already has begun seeking recommendations from harbor users, maritime industry experts and the local government, businesses and community on harbor expansion and improvements.

The master plan will include forecasts of maritime activity in the year 2030 and identify facilities needed to accommodate anticipated activities.

For the Kahului Commercial Harbor 2025 Master Plan, the state investigated the feasibility of additional breakwater structures and new piers and terminals, as well as the deepening and expansion of the harbor's turning basin. Officials said the Harbors Division wants to update the plan and accelerate completion of the Kahului Commercial Harbor projects to meet increases in maritime activity.