Ariyoshi Frees Funds for New Harbor Project

Some $3.34 million in state funds was released yesterday by Gov. George Ariyoshi to start construction of the multimillion dollar Barbers Point deep-draft harbor in Leeward Oahu.

Ariyoshi announced the release of money for Oahu’s planned, second deep-water harbor so the state could benefit from more than $72 million in federal funds earmarked by Congress for the project.

"Today’s decision will have a long-term beneficial impact on our economy and on our future," Ariyoshi said in a news release yesterday. "The Island of Oahu for too long has depended on one harbor and one set of facilities.

"The growth of our commerce and the needs of our people have dictated that we establish a second major harbor facility on this Island. The Barbers Point area is the logical location."

The state Department of Transportation has long planned to enlarge the present small barge facility into a deep-water harbor using more than 100 acres of Campbell Estate land.

The multimillion dollar project includes dredging and enlargement of the present barge channel, construction of piers, a shed, yard and other improvements.

Dredging of the channel is expected to cost about $76 million, with $3.34 million from the state and $72.6 million from the federal government. A Department of Transportation spokesman said big openings for the dredging work, which is expected to take 31⁄2 to 4 years, is slated for June 4. The state budget project for the total project is $132.38 million. …

The project had been opposed by former Mayor Frank Fasi, whose administration had sued to block it. The lawsuit later was dismissed.

Fasi went to Washington to oppose appropriations by the U.S. House for the Barbers Point project and, as mayor, commissioned a study of the controversial project.

That study was later released and recommended that the harbor be constructed at Barbers Point to help meet growth in Hawaii.

The Legislature even enacted a law, tailor-made for the Barbers Point project, to allow state transportation officials to circumvent county zoning requirements for construction of ports and other facilities.