HANAPEPE >> New slips opened Friday at the Port Allen Small Boat Harbor, the culmination of a yearlong, $3.8 million project by the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation.

The work involved removal of badly deteriorated fixed concrete piers and installation of new aluminum-framed floating docks with plastic lumber decking, complete with new electrical and water utilities. By installing additional finger piers on the makai side of the makai pier (Pier B/200 Row), the new floating docks increased the number of slips to 42 from 35, according to a news release.

Boaters were required to vacate their slips in February, with some permittees able to obtain temporary moorage at Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor. Others had to trailer their vessels off-site, DLNR said. Boaters can now move back into their slips.

Hawaiian Dredging Construction Inc. was the project contractor.