A Big Island lawmaker is spearheading an effort to secure $40 million in state funding to reopen the Pohoiki Boat Ramp.
Puna Rep. Greggor Ilagan, a Democrat, last month introduced House Bill 701, a simple measure that would allocate money to the Department of Land and Natural Resources to dredge the sandbar that formed within Pohoiki Bay during the 2018 Kilauea eruption, cutting off ocean access to the ramp.
Ilagan said the long-delayed reopening of the boat ramp was the most requested project among his constituents during a series of town halls he held in December.
Last year, a consulting group determined that the preferred plan for reopening the ramp would involve the total removal of the entire sandbar, about 215,000 cubic yards of sand. Other plans that involved dredging channels through the sandbar were considered but ultimately rejected either due to high costs and time commitments, or due to the possibility of the channels being filled in by ocean currents.
“Restoring the ramp is my biggest priority this legislative session,” Ilagan said, adding that, while his is the only Pohoiki-related bill in the Legislature this session, he is working with Puna Sen. Joy San Buenaventura to ensure that the bill passes both chambers this year.
“The biggest obstacles will be if there are other Big Island funding priorities,” Ilagan said. “For example, Gov. (Josh) Green talked about his plan for a $15 million (Hilo Medical Center) expansion. But we have a surplus right now, so we could fund all projects.”
Ilagan said that in situations where proposed projects exceed the state’s budget, projects on neighbor islands tend to get cut first in favor of Oahu projects. But, he added, the new administration has more neighbor island residents in leadership positions — including himself, the House vice speaker — so he is confident that the measure can pass.
The House Ways and Means Committee approved the bill with nonsubstantive changes Thursday on a wave of community and governmental support. The DLNR submitted testimony strongly supporting the bill, as did dozens of Puna residents.
“Pohoiki has been a fishing village for generations for our families,” wrote resident Leila Kealoha. “It has also served as a port to access the ocean for safety measures which is critical to saving lives. … We depend on the Pohoiki Boat Ramp for sustenance, please help us get back to feeding ourselves!”
Ilagan said that if the bill passes and the project’s environmental assessment process be completed without delays, the bidding process could begin by August, with dredging work to begin before year’s end.
The bill has been referred to the House Finance Committee, but has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.
Email Michael Brestovansky at mbrestovansky@hawaiitribune-herald.com.