WASHINGTON, D.C.,--- Hawaii County will receive $1,095,907 to repair tsunami damage at the Kailua-Kona Wharf Small Boat Harbor, Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Senator Daniel K. Akaka, U.S. Representative Mazie K. Hirono and U.S. Representative Colleen Hanabusa announced today.
The money will be used to repair extensive damage caused by the March 11, 2011, tsunami. The boat harbor’s pavement, revetment, parking areas, utilities, ramps, and the comfort station were all damaged during the tsunami.
Over 200 waves were recorded at varying heights with the high water mark being 4.5 feet above the wharf pier deck. The work also includes the restoration of 4,650 square yards of four inch thick aggregate concrete pavement and an eight inch sub-base.
The funds were received through a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and will be administered by the Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources.
“The Kona community depends on a safe and well maintained boat harbor for residents and visitors to use for recreation and business. As our nation continues to help the people of Japan recover from the March earthquake and tsunami, I am very pleased that the administration continues to recognize the need to repair Hawaii’s harbors,” said Senator Inouye.
“Federal assistance is critical to a small community like Kona as it recovers from a natural disaster,” said Senator Akaka, a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “FEMA, a key partner in disaster management, is providing over a million dollars to repair tsunami damage at the boat harbor. I thank FEMA for helping Hawaii rebuild, as we continue to support and pray for our extended ohana in Japan.”
“It’s been inspiring to see firsthand the way the people and small businesses of Hawaii Island have come together and picked themselves up since the tsunami last March. The assistance we’re announcing today will continue the ongoing repairs and improvements to help make the area safer and more accessible,” said Congresswoman Hirono, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
“As we continue to help our friends in Japan rebuild after the devastating March earthquake and tsunami, I am pleased that Hawaii is receiving federal support to repair the damage our harbors and communities suffered from the disaster,” said Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa. “The Kailua-Kona Wharf Small Boat Harbor is an important component of our state’s boating community and we must ensure these structural repairs are made for the safety of our residents and visitors.”
