Attention, boaters and coastal visitors of Ke‘ehi Small Boat Harbor, some changes are on their way. Starting Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, the parking lot at the harbor will get a major upgrade to combat the pressing issue of sea level rise—specifically, the project is designed to deal with coastal inundation and the gradual sinking of the land.
This isn't just about building a wall or two. The plan involves adding grade adjustment walls and trucking in fill material to bring up the elevation of the west side parking lot. Potholes will disappear under new paving, and improvements are coming to drainage work—to help keep the area from turning into a pool at the slightest rain. According to the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), workers will also add fencing and new signage to help visitors navigate the area easily.
Let's talk numbers. The project carries a price tag of $3,925,757 and should wrap up by February 27, 2026, if all goes according to plan. The goal is to get this done without shutting down the whole harbor, so water activities can continue uninterrupted. Still, be ready for a few detours and less parking than usual since construction tends to shake up the day-to-day flow of traffic and availability of spaces.
The folks behind the heavy machinery, Ke Nui Construction, LLC, have promised to collaborate with the harbor's regulars and staff from DOBOR to keep inconveniences to a minimum. And while the promise of "limited impacts" is always nice to hear, savvy visitors will likely plan for a few extra minutes getting in and out of the area, just in case, as noted by the DLNR.
