KAILUA-KONA — A bill to privatize Honokohau Harbor after years of disrepair is gaining steam at the Capitol. And the state agency that now oversees the facility is backing what could become a model for privatization of small boat harbors across Hawaii.
KAILUA-KONA — A bill to privatize Honokohau Harbor after years of disrepair is gaining steam at the Capitol. And the state agency that now oversees the facility is backing what could become a model for privatization of small boat harbors across Hawaii.
State Department of Land and Natural Resources Chairwoman Suzanne Case told lawmakers the small boat harbors program needs to take a different direction. In written testimony, she is supporting opening up Honokohau to public-private partnerships — but she’d like to go even further and is seeking legislative support for making that option available at harbors statewide.
The support comes as contractors finally begin work on long-awaited improvements at Honokohau.
“Allowing the department to enter into public-private partnerships or working with private organizations would free up valuable staff time and resources that can be allocated to the management of the state’s navigable waters and nearshore areas that are in dire need of resource protection,” she wrote to the House Committee on Water and Land.
However, Case doesn’t support local community boards to oversee the harbors, calling that form of management cumbersome and ineffective. The local control was struck from the legislation during committee hearings.
That’s disappointing to Kona Rep. Nicole Lowen, who introduced the House version of a concept that was also pushed forward by Kona Sen. Josh Green.
“I’m not happy with the amendments that took out community-based management as an option,” Lowen said. “I think privatization is the least preferable option, after options of better state management, community-based management or county management.”
Lowen wasn’t surprised the state seems ready to relinquish control.
“DLNR is happy to wash their hands of small boat harbors since they’ve been failing at effectively managing them for awhile,” she said. “People are unhappy with (the state Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation) not only in Kona but at most small boat harbors in the state.”
Green said it’s too early in the process to know the fate of House Bill 2235, but having DLNR support “is 80 percent of the battle.”
“I’d like to see us do this as a trial to see what works for the state,” he said.
Supporters of a different approach to the state’s small boat harbors include Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi, the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, Pursuit Sportfishing, Blue Ocean Mariculture, the Honolulu-based Ocean Tourism Coalition and others. The United Public Workers union opposes the bill, saying it fails to spell out control, responsibility and liability.
The majority of submitted testimony favors the concept, however.
“Honokohau Harbor remains unfinished 40 years after it opened,” said Rick Gaffney, president of the Hawaii Fishing and Boating Association, in written testimony. “It is time to pursue a new management paradigm, and this bill offers an opportunity to consider options, including a public-private partnership, based on the model recently agreed to in Hilo for the management of DLNR’s Banyan Drive properties. The creation of a similar management authority for Honokohau would allow management to be undertaken at the local level, with one-on-one communication possible between the boaters and the managers, and provide the opportunity for private parties to participate in completing the harbor’s infrastructure and improving the facilities in a timely fashion.”
On Hilo’s Banyan Drive, a new planning agency under the county is set to take control of drafting a master plan for that area. The concept was embraced by DLNR, which remains the landlord of the property.
Decrepit loading ramps and a lack of security, clean restrooms, lighting, a sewage pumpout for boats, parking lot pavement and modern washdown have been a thorn for years, some Honokohau Harbor users have said.
Last week, Isemoto Contracting Co. began construction on the north side of the harbor. The boat washdown will be relocated to the north side of the harbor access road, and Isemoto will pave the gravel parking areas, build a new pumpout station at the fuel dock and make drainage improvements.
The $1.3 million project is expected to be finished by the end of July, according to DLNR. Parking areas along Gentry’s Kona Marina fence line, fronting the sailing and canoe club and around the comfort station will be temporarily unavailable during paving and striping.
Email Bret Yager at byager@westhawaiitoday.com.