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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 3:32 p.m., Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Morning aftershock further damages Big Island pier

Advertiser Staff

This morning's 4.0 magnitude aftershock on the Big Island caused further damage to a Kawaihae Harbor pier that was cracked by earthquakes and aftershocks that have been shaking the island since Sunday morning.

Divers are inspecting the pier closest to the small boat harbor for structural damage, said state Department of Transportation Director Rod Haraga at a press conference this morning.

"The crack on the harbor deck itself has widened to 14 inches wide, we don't know how deep," he said.

So far, there is no evidence of any problems or leaks in the harbor fuel line.

Crews are assessing major damages to the main harbor that were sustained during this morning's 4.0-magnitude aftershock.

Divers inspected the harbor Monday and Tuesday and it appears to be structurally sound, said Scott Ishikawa, DOT spokesman. The damage appears to be restricted to several cracks in the docks, he said. "Otherwise, it appears to be in good condition," Ishikawa said. "The support structure for the pier is good."

Transportation officials expect to take another day before coming up with a final damage assessment.

Concerns over Kawaihae Harbor yesterday prompted officials to divert a Matson barge and Young Bros. barge to Hilo, Ishikawa said.

Haraga said officials are working to get cargo into Kawaiahae as soon as possible.

"We want to make sure the deck will survive the weight of anything we put on there," he said, noting that Young Brothers ships large cargo containers there. "If we were to need a crane to offload some of the containers, we need to make sure that the deck, again, is capable of sustaining that kind of load."

Meanwhile, other DOT inspectors are looking at the bridges along the 190 Highway. With the Ironman Triathalon scheduled for this weekend, he said, "We want to make sure we have a safe highway for them to traverse."