Save Kailua Boat Ramp

Don’t be fooled by repetition of the narrative from DDC (Design and Construction) and P&R (Parks & Rec) on the ramp. Yes, there is a process, a process that is designed to fail. All the rhetoric about permits and time is misleading. Many people from our community have been asking the DDC for years why the ramp cannot be repaired instead of an elaborate plan to rebuild it that the City knows will never happen. For that, you need all those permits and probably even more time.... And that assumes people in Kailua don’t raise objections in public hearing. A rebuilt ramp would have to be very different and much larger than the current one, and probably cost tens of millions. On the other hand, give DLNR and the Corps of Engineers a call, as others have, and ask if, conducted as a repair, what the permitting requirements would be. The answer you will get is, none. As long as the original structure is there, it can be repaired, just like the hole topside was last year. There have been many, many attempts to get DDC and P&R to answer why the ramp cannot be simply repaired, but they refuse to answer. When we ask our elected officials, they ask DDR and get the same old song about the project being underway, which they repeat back to us. It is not. Most recently, the DDC has said two different things. One is that it is negotiating with a consultant, and the other is that it has issued RFP’s (requests for proposals). Strangely, the major contractors who would know about such a project, have heard nothing about either, and there is not record of the RFP on HANDS, the state’s bid listings (City and state). It’s become pretty clear that stonewalling and foot dragging is being actively done, as the ramp slowly deteriorates. Several people have submitted photos, and even a reconstruction plan, with no response. It’s been estimated that the ramp will become unusable within 2 years. A lot of us think that is the goal of the City, so it can then declare it a danger and remove it. That will be the end of any opportunity to repair it, and be the beginning of the end of having a ramp at all in Kailua. Brian

"Emergency repair" work, exactly what we've been asking the City to do for the boat ramp. Emergency repairs bypass complex permit requirements and use emergency funding.

We have been asking the City for help for over 10 months now. A group of boat ramp users never demanded to take matters into their own hands or to release CIP... funds "for their use" as FALSELY stated by the two directors in today's paper. The outgoing Mayor and officials were given (for free) a proposal and design plan for a temporary repair drafted by a highly qualified contractor that is an expert in ocean construction. The current condition of the boat ramp puts the public in great danger and should be declared an emergency, something that will bypass permit requirements and is a process commonly used by the city to expedite emergency work and release emergency funds. The temporary repair proposed would buy the government 10-20 years to finalize plans for reconstruction and would save the city millions in future maintenance costs and potential lawsuits. This is exactly why the public gets discouraged when trying to deal with the bureaucracies of city and state officials. When presented with a solid solution, we are not only publicly criticized, they still have no solution to fix the problem except "use the Heeia Kea Boat Ramp". This administration's failure to act is passing on a huge liability and dangerous situation to incoming leaders. Our only hope is that the new administration will put public safety and protection of our public resources ahead of politics and do the right thing. #GTFO #goodriddance #savekailuaboatramp #HawaiiNewsNow

In 1922, Executive Order 115 under the Territory of Hawaii created Kailua beach park when it condemned Kawailoa house lots. The EO states that if the City fails to maintain the park, the EO is void and land goes back to the Territory. Hey Caldwell, fix the boat ramp or give up the land

We've made some progress...a meeting was held at the boat ramp on Friday. Current and incoming legislators from both the City and State were there, neighborhood board members, residents with construction and engineering expertise, and the head of the Parks Maintenance Department discussed both short and long-term options for repair. Councilman Texeira will investigate options with the Director of the Department of Parks and Rec. A public-private partnership with a local engineering firm and construction company is an approach we hope the City will approve and release emergency funds for materials. We expect to hear back from the City this week.

"New $15,000 boat ramp under construction"

We have been asking the City for help for over 10 months now. A group of boat ramp users never demanded to take matters into their own hands or to release CIP... funds "for their use" as FALSELY stated by the two directors in today's paper. The outgoing Mayor and officials were given (for free) a proposal and design plan for a temporary repair drafted by a highly qualified contractor that is an expert in ocean construction. The current condition of the boat ramp puts the public in great danger and should be declared an emergency, something that will bypass permit requirements and is a process commonly used by the city to expedite emergency work and release emergency funds. The temporary repair proposed would buy the government 10-20 years to finalize plans for reconstruction and would save the city millions in future maintenance costs and potential lawsuits. This is exactly why the public gets discouraged when trying to deal with the bureaucracies of city and state officials. When presented with a solid solution, we are not only publicly criticized, they still have no solution to fix the problem except "use the Heeia Kea Boat Ramp". This administration's failure to act is passing on a huge liability and dangerous situation to incoming leaders. Our only hope is that the new administration will put public safety and protection of our public resources ahead of politics and do the right thing. #GTFO #goodriddance #savekailuaboatramp #HawaiiNewsNow

Former Senator, Laura Thielen, has been appointed as the new director of Parks & Rec under the new administration.

"Emergency repair" work, exactly what we've been asking the City to do for the boat ramp. Emergency repairs bypass complex permit requirements and use emergency funding.

Need help writing testimony to the City? Feel free to cut and paste part or all of the text below: The Kailua community is requesting your help for emergency repairs at the Kailua boat ramp. Earlier this year, the City Council appropriated $2-million for planning, design, and total reconstruction of a brand new boat ramp, however, the Windward community doesn’t need or want a huge, multi-million boat ramp facility. The current ramp has effectively served our community since ...1962. The small ramp and trailer parking lot naturally help deter excessive boat traffic on our extremely busy ocean waters. Maintenance of the boat ramp is the responsibility of the Department of Parks and Recreation. Despite notification of the collapse in April, the boat ramp continues to deteriorate and an emergency repair can no longer be ignored or denied, especially since funding is available. The public relies on governmental policies to protect our resources, beaches, and coastlines. Allowing the Kailua boat ramp to collapse is not only a public safety issue, it severely limits public access to recreational areas, natural reserves, traditional fishing and diving spots, and offshore surf breaks coveted by the community. Kailua boat ramp requires immediate repair so that the public can safely use one of Windard Oahu's most important assets. Please help! Mahalo,

The City can save millions and just repair the ramp. Do you want a multi million dollar boat launch at the current Kailua boat ramp location? The vision of the Army Corp of Engineers is a $30-million boating facility built to Federal standards and includes a break water. Do we really want something like that and the increased boat traffic it will bring? If not, tell our interim Councilmember Alan Texeira, who currently advocates for reconstruction and total rebuild of a bra...nd new boat ramp, that we just want to repair the current ramp. It serves it’s purpose for our community and that’s all we need. JUST REPAIR THE BOAT RAMP. NO RECONSTRUCTION. NO REBUILD. Restore access to the local lawai’a and surfers so they can, once again, use our vital resources. We’ve had the current ramp for over 55 years and it is sufficient for our local needs.

Please call and write to the City to do the needed repairs. We need our boat ramp back!

What will it take for an emergency repair? We need the ramp to be safe and functional. Public safety should be the number one priority of the City. Protecting public resources and maintaining public access to ocean resources is next.

New resolution passed by the Kailua neighborhood board last night. Come on Mayor, do the right thing and fix the ramp before someone gets seriously hurt or a child gets trapped in that hole and drowns!