About $4.45 million to fund improvements to the small-boat harbors at Ke'ehi and Kawaihae released by Gov. Linda Lingle yesterday should help ease a tight boat storage situation, especially on O'ahu.

About $4.05 million will be used to replace Piers 100 and 200 at Ke'ehi. More than a quarter of the existing 362 slips there have been deemed unusable due to extensive deterioration over the years, state officials said.

The improvement project will make slips available that have been closed due to safety concerns, restore harbor activity and generate more venues for future maintenance. Design of the project is already under way. Construction is expected to begin in July 2008 and run through December 2009.

At Kawaihae, along the Big Island's Kohala Coast, $400,000 will be used to replace existing loading docks that have deteriorated beyond repair. The new docks and connecting walkways will meet guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Construction is scheduled to begin in June and run through March 2009.

William Aila, harbormaster for the Wai'anae Small Boat Harbor, said the improvements will help provide welcome relief to a long-suffering boating community, especially on O'ahu.

"The problem is more acute on O'ahu because of the deteriorating slips available at the Ala Wai," Aila said. "Many of the boaters have had to shift to Ke'ehi."

The recent development of "F Dock" at the Ala Wai could accommodate as many as 40 to 50 boats. The improvements come on the heels of an announcement last week that both Lingle and legislative leaders have agreed to a six-year, $842 million plan to increase capacity and improve operations at state harbors.

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