After an eight-year hiatus due to volcanic fury, Pohoiki Boat Ramp is finally emerging from its forced dormancy. A dredging operation underway promises to reinstate the vital aquatic gateway by November, extracting an astonishing volume of volcanic byproduct—42,000 cubic yards that's been choking life out of this once-bustling marina since Kīlauea's eruption, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources News Release. The ramp's revival is a testament to persistent community engagement, embodying resilience as much as it does restoration.
The statewide significance was palpable Monday as an assembly converged to mark the occasion with revelry and ritual—the symbolic cleansing of past trials, paving the way for future exploits across aqua firma. It's a space embedded deeply within the local culture, with State Senator Joy San Buenaventura illustrating the financial strain placed on the fishing community by the ramp's closure, stating, "We needed people to understand how much it cost in fuel just to bring all our boats from the Wailoa Small Boat Harbor in Hilo, out to Puna to they could fish to feed and support their families," she remarked during the blessing ceremony, as stated by the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
The Pohoiki Boat Ramp, beyond a mere structural feature or a landing stage, stands as a piko—the belly button, the center—of the Puna community. "This is a day of celebration to recognize the collaboration of the community, elected officials and DLNR working together to support this project," Department of Land and Natural Resources Chair Dawn Chang said prior to the blessing, acknowledging the collective efforts in spearheading this long-due project.
The financial puzzle pieces that have led to the rejuvenation of the ramp reflect the community's unwavering prioritization. A legislative push steered by San Buenaventura and State Representative Greggor Ilagan helped secure $5.4 million in state funds despite an initial deficiency in federal support. Looming fiscal gaps were bridged by DOBOR's Boating Special Fund, which is fuel by boating user fees, filling in a crucial $2.9 million to make the $9.28 million project possible. This commitment underscores the communal imperative that Pohoiki represents, as a home, as a heritage, and now, as a harbor reborn, as reported by the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
The contractor, Goodfellow Bros. Inc., has nine months to finish the dredging, but the goal is to be done by November. Ryan Kanaka‘ole from the Department of Land and Natural Resources shared how special Pohoiki is to him and the community, remembering summers there with his father. Restoring Pohoiki means more than fixing a boat ramp—it’s about honoring memories and supporting local families who rely on the ocean.
