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Fishermen said state plans for a new boat ramp at Pohoiki should be shelved if changes aren't made.

State boating engineer Kevin Ho (2nd from right) and consultant John Sakaguchi (second from left) hear from actual boat ramp users Saturday. >

The  boat launch project would just waste money because it wouldn't bring needed improvements, said long-time commercial fishermen.

 
Sen. Russell KokubunBut state Sen. Russell Kokubun, holding thumb and forefinger just millimeters apart, said "we're that close" to getting the funds to complete the long-awaited project and it appeared it would be built despite major shortcomings and few improvements for the commercial fisherman and recreational users that share the boat ramp.

The public discussion of the state's plans for a new Pohoiki boat ramp (DLNR site about Pohoiki) was conducted by Sen. Kokubun as Rep. Helene Hale and her newly elected successor Faye Hanohano sat together in the audience. Representatives of the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Boating Division and the planning consultant hired by the state, Wilson Okamoto Corp., were also there. (Here's a link to the the DLNR's 2003 report to the Legislature on the Pohoiki Boat Ramp Master Plan.)

"Bird"Hot water from nearby springs helps grow a slippery algae that is especially difficult to remove, a unique factor of the project that planners didn't consider, said "Bird," who lives in the red house next to the boat ramp. ("Everybody just knows me as Bird," he said.)

"We're losing trucks," another fisherman said, one as recently as Tuesday.

But the commercial fishermen also saw continuing conflicts with recreational users who would still be swimming dangerously in the boat launch area under the new design. Kokubun said Hawaii County is developing swimming facilities nearby ( Isaac Hale Memorial Park improvement plans) which may alleviate the strain of mixed use in the boat ramp area. "We need another more inviting place for swimmers," he said. " It's too risky, I agree."

Kokubun said the rising cost of construction made the initial $800,000 appropriation for the project in 2002 inadequate. Another $700,000 is needed for construction, which has been appropriated but needs to be released by Gov. Linda Lingle, Kokubun said. Meanwhile he and Hanohano are "making a commitment to make this happen."

Even with its potential to be little better for fishermen and swimmers than it is now.

In 2002, the last year for which I could find statistics, the Hawaii County Data Book reported more than 329,000 pounds of fish worth $.69 million hauled in by boats operating out of Pohoiki, making it the third largest fishery on the Big Island and an important industry in Puna Makai.

Sandy Masaoka, whose family has been using the Pohoiki ramp for decades, said education is key to the use of ramp. Locals know to look for the boats, she said. Newcomers cause problems. "Sorry to be hotheads, but it has to be done for safety," Masaoka said apologetically. "We're asking, try our way."

< Sandy Masaoka, center, at Saturday's meeting