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10-17-2025, 05:30 PM
(This post was last modified: 10-17-2025, 05:32 PM by MyManao.)
(10-17-2025, 04:29 PM)Sam Son Wrote: It appears my estimate on how long it will take for the channel at the Pohoiki boat ramp to become unnavigable was off by exactly six weeks. It filled in before the facility was even open for use.
Best belly laugh of the week!
Good Morning Puna! Thanks Yak for the pic.. it's a perfect example of our government at work. Vote4Joy my ass!
I wonder if the engineers that designed the dredging project are liable for its outcome? Or are they just high paid welfare recipients?
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Any good lawyer will argue "act of God" so there will be no liability.
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Isnʻt that the spot where the big heavy crane was parked?
Certainty will be the death of us.
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10-17-2025, 10:17 PM
(This post was last modified: 10-17-2025, 10:28 PM by ironyak.)
The heavy equipment has been parked on the north or left side of the channel when facing the ocean. When they removed the berm they started on the south side and worked back across to the north where the equipment is still parked. The build up of rock and sand is back on the south-edge of the channel so not clear how they can easily get back to it, but maybe the big crane can reach across and save the day? (maybe start the rent-to-own process now so they can keep it down there for monthly use? Can pay for fuel by adding a ladder to the crane's boom for tourists to get their "look how high I was in Puna" selfies, maybe even a bungie jump - safe ocean access ain't free!)
This drone video has a good overhead of the situation at 1m15s (as well as an overview later of the progress on the road clearing back towards Kapoho Kai/"4" corners):
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Anyone know what the cleared area on the right is, at 2:05 into the video?
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10-18-2025, 03:19 AM
(This post was last modified: 10-18-2025, 03:24 AM by ironyak.)
That's the dredged material dumping area/parking overflow/open air amphitheater/picnic plateau/rocket launching & ufo landing pad/etc (possibilities are only limited by the collective imagination).
Today's drone update (right at 4:20 because, ya know, Puna), shows the heavy equipment has been moved off the beach and the channel appears to be shallow enough to stand in? While the county does own the
26 acres that fronts the bay, putting a road in to reach the far side of the channel from the Red Road would probably require an EIS and all that jazz. Maybe the plan is to just wait a week and the berm will reform and they can drive the excavator back over to the south side and start once more? Any job worth doing is worth doing, well, again (and again, and again,...)
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Looks like a pretty nice swimminʻ hole--while it lasts.
Certainty will be the death of us.
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We have to concede: The critics were right that erosion would block the entrance. Didn't think it would happen this fast. No boats can get in and out of this. If it stayed like this it would be OK for swimming. Stay tuned....this will be a discussion topic for some time.
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(10-18-2025, 08:03 AM)MarkD Wrote: We have to concede..
But hey, it's a damn nice swimming hole..
From
Big Island Now when they announced the start of the project..
On Monday, hundreds of people gathered for a community celebration and blessing at the top of the ramp..
“This is a day of celebration to recognize the collaboration of the community, elected officials and Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) working together to support this project,” said DLNR Chair Dawn Chang. “The Pohoiki Boat Ramp is a piko, or focal point for this community.
The state had hoped for more federal support to approve the removal of most of the volcanic debris in Pohoiki Bay, but the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was only able to approve restoration of the boat ramp entrance channel.
Then, it took determined efforts by state lawmakers from the district to convince the rest of the legislature that opening the Pohoiki boat ramp was the top priority for people in the district. Chang singled out the efforts of state Sen. Joy San Buenaventura and state Rep. Greggor Ilagan in securing $5.4 million of state funding for the dredging.
The total project cost came in at $9.28 million, leaving a $2.9 million shortfall, which is being covered by the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation’s Boating Special Fund, deriving its revenues almost entirely from boating user fees.
A 9 million dollar swimming hole..
I wonder if there was a plan to have an opening day celebration? Who would be the hero of the day? Whose was going to be the first boat launched? Would there be a parade? A band? Geez an.. east side impromptu jam session.. fresh ahi hauled in.. a giant bbq.. I mean it is the 'piko' after all..
And of course.. with the way things are going with the great white chiefs back in DC this is probably the last FEMA money we'll ever get..
And to think.. all that for a 9 million dollar swimming hole..
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9 million dollar swimming hole..
How much was spent creating roads during the last lava flow, Railroad Avenue & Chain of Craters? Was it 30 million? Railroad Avenue is gated with Kapu warning signs, I think the Chain of Craters section lets you hike or bike.
So far the county is letting people swim at Pohoiki. We got that going for us.
