Gov. Linda Lingle released $630,000 yesterday to replace portions of the three concrete piers at Wai'anae Small Boat Harbor, building on repairs and improvements completed earlier this year.

Due to the piers' extensive deterioration, more than 20 of the harbor's 146 slips are closed.

Renovating the concrete piers will restore these slips to service, provide space for waitlisted boaters and generate income for the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation.

A previous allotment of $150,000 was released in 2006 to cover design. Design costs came in under this amount by $30,000. The remaining funds were transferred to the construction phase and are part of this most recent allotment. The total project cost is $750,000.

The design phase has been completed. Construction is scheduled to begin in September 2008 and be completed in June 2009.