After six and a half years of waiting, boaters and fishers on Hawaiʻi Island are set to regain access to Pohoiki Bay. A $9.2 million contract has been awarded to Goodfellow Bros. to dredge the lava-inundated bay, restoring a vital lifeline for the community.

The dredging project, overseen by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR), will remove lava debris that has blocked access to the Pohoiki boat ramp since the Kīlauea volcano eruption in 2018.

“The dredging involves removal of accumulated lava debris to restore a wide entrance channel for the existing boat ramp,” explained DOBOR engineer Finn McCall.

For East Hawaiʻi’s commercial and recreational boaters, this news marks a significant milestone. Since the ramp’s closure, they’ve been forced to make the hour-long drive to Wailoa Small Boat Harbor in Hilo for access to the ocean.

DOBOR is currently finalizing the necessary permits and anticipates dredging will begin in February 2025, with the work expected to be completed by November.

Goodfellow Bros. won the contract as the lowest bidder on the project, ensuring that the long-awaited restoration of Pohoiki Bay is one step closer to reality. This development is a welcome relief for the community, which has eagerly awaited the return of this essential resource.

All images/video courtesy: DLNR