The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) is actively seeking community feedback for a proposed upgrade to the Mala Boat Ramp in West Maui. A meeting has been scheduled for Feb. 4, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the Mala Boat Ramp comfort station parking lot located in Lahaina. This public gathering is part of an effort to ensure that the improvements to support boating and recreational activities are in line with the needs and wants of those they will serve the most.
Announced upgrades include crucial enhancements like "asphalt resurfacing and restriping of the access road, new signage and perimeter barriers, drainage improvements, and comfort station renovations," as reported by Spectrum Local News. These preliminary plans are open for discussion, allowing community members to actively participate to directly shape the final design. In an effort to bolster transparency and collaboration, DOBOR is ready to accept and integrate community suggestions before moving to finalize the plans and open the process for contractor bids.
Feedback is not limited to those who can attend the in-person event. DOBOR staff can be contacted at 808-587-1966 for those with questions or concerns who can't make it to the meeting. Maui Now highlights the inclusion of a feedback window until February 28, ensuring that even those unable to attend the meeting still have a voice in the project. By this date, DOBOR expects to gather a broad range of perspectives and foster a proposal that reflects the community's diverse viewpoints.
During the meeting, DOBOR will "present these preliminary designs at the meeting and accept input from boat ramp users and interested community members on the proposed project to incorporate into the final design," according to information from Maui Now. This project currently in its design phase, emphasizes the state's commitment to nurturing local input and ensuring that the resulting improvements will align with the users' needs. The planned upgrades are poised to enhance both the functionality and safety of the ramp, which is a vital launch point for the boating community of West Maui.
