City stabilizing Kailua Beach boat ramp

The city is working to save the Kailua Beach Park Boat Ramp from being undermined by ocean currents.

City workers Monday started to replenish the beach and near-shore area by the ramp with sand taken from nearby Kaele­pulu Stream.

"They need to replenish the sand to stabilize the boat ramp," city spokes­man Jesse Broder Van Dyke said.

The transfer of up to 3,000 cubic yards of sand will take about two weeks, Broder Van Dyke said.

The project is mutually beneficial to the boat ramp and the stream because the sand near the stream builds up and requires clearing regularly, he said.

Windward parks district manager Miles Hazama said the emergency work was necessary after the boat ramp was undermined a number of months ago.

Hazama said the city has already repaired six to eight feet of the boat rampon the northwest side that had collapsed.

He said the sand replenishment will help to protect the ramp.

"Hopefully it will prevent undermining," Hazama said.

He said all the work is being done by city employees.

The adjacent parking lot is closed, pending the completion of the sand replenishment project.

Government reviews were needed before starting, including an Army Corps of Engineers permit and a state Department of Health permit.

Broder Van Dyke said as part of the state review, the sand was tested to make sure there were no contaminants.

City employees took the sand from the stream area and placed it into piles to dry for a couple of weeks before beginning the replenishment.

The popular ramp is used by recreational boaters who visit the Moku­luas and Popoia (Flat) Island.

Asked about the cost, Broder Van Dyke said the city plans to review the amount of labor required to perform the sand replenishment project, once it is completed.

City workers last year did a sand replenishment project for areas above the high-water mark near the boat ramp.