Temporary commercial vessel restrictions at Mala Wharf in Lahaina lifted by DLNR
KAHULUI—Commercial operators, with permits, will again be able to use Mala Wharf seven days a week beginning on April 13, according to a press release from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).
Last October, the DLNR began restricting access to commercial boats on weekends for many reasons. The DLNR listed the absence of a Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) office in West Maui, the lack of operational restrooms; potential health risks from exposure to contaminants in the ocean, and the unsafe conditions of nearshore waters due to debris from the August 2023 wildfires as reasons for the closure.
Concerned Lahaina residents also indicated they wanted commercial operations restricted.
DLNR Chair Dawn Chang is lifting the temporary restrictions following the completion of improvements at the wharf in addition to a legal review. Improvements include temporary office space for DOBOR staff. The Lahaina Small Boat Harbor DOBOR office was destroyed in the wildfires.
An attorney for two commercial operators had requested that the restriction be lifted and in a response to the letter Chang advised, “Please be aware that we are currently working on amending DOBOR administrative rules to implement commercial activity prohibitions on weekends and holidays at Mala Wharf and other boating facilities, similar to the Kāneohe Bay restrictions on O‘ahu.”
Pending the rules amendments for Mala, DLNR is urging commercial vessel operators to be mindful and sensitive to community concerns regarding the impacts of commercial activities.
Among the concerns are limited parking, conflicts between recreational and commercial activities especially on weekends, and safety concerns about nearshore commercial activities.