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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 3:08 p.m., Monday, June 30, 2008

Ala Wai, Maunalua Bay channels to close for Fourth of July fireworks

Advertiser Staff

The Department of Land and Natural Resources on Friday will briefly close the entrance channels for O'ahu's Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor and Maunalua Bay near Hawai'i Kai to boats as a safety precaution, due to planned Independence Day fireworks displays.

"We anticipate high boat traffic in the waters off Waikiki and Hawai'i Kai in the hours preceding and following the fireworks displays. We ask that users of the entrance channels observe the closure for their own safety and for the protection of the event coordinators," DLNR chairwoman Laura H. Thielen said in a news release.

"We are also advising the public to stay clear of the barges situated off-shore, which will serve as launch platforms for fireworks displays. Officers from DLNR's Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement will be on hand at Maunalua Bay and Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor to keep order and enforce the channel closure and safety zones," Thielen said. "They will also enforce a safety zone around the fireworks barge in Kailua Bay."

DLNR enforcement officers on boats will restrict vessel ingress and egress starting approximately 30 minutes before the start of the fireworks launch. The channels will be reopened to vessel traffic after the all clear sign is given by event coordinators.

All vessels, thrill craft and kayaks must stay 300 yards away from any location where fireworks will be set off from land sites over the water.

Channel closures are scheduled as follows:

  • Ala Wai Channel (access to Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor and Waikiki Yacht Club) from 8 p.m. to about 9:30 p.m.

  • Maunalua Bay Channel (access to Hawai'i Kai Marina) from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

    DLNR is authorized to close the Ala Wai and Maunalua Bay channels by special rule under Chapter 200 of the Hawai'i Revised Statutes and Title 13, Chapter 230 of the Hawai'i Administrative Rules.