Gov. Benigno R. Fitial who was yesterday’s keynote speaker said he was very pleased to dedicate and celebrate the completion of a “state-of-the-art” facility.
He said the original facility was built many years ago, the first of its kind here and had only about 80 boat slips to service some 500 boaters.
With the rapid deterioration of the facility and the heavy demand for the utilization of the dock, the Department of Lands & Natural Resources, through its Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Boating Access Program, submitted a request for rehabilitation to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in Honolulu over eight years ago.
Fitial said with the support of Ernie Kosaka, who was the agency’s funding coordinator for federal assistance, an invitation to bid for the project was announced.
GPPC Inc. was the project contractor while Blu Water Co. of Hawaii provided special marine supplies and materials.
Fitial said Blu Water also provided on-site supervision and inspection of the construction and fabrication of the structural and building components.
The project is fully funded by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service;s Sportsfish Restoration’s Boating Access Program.
“This is another testament to our commitment to continue maximizing available funding sources for the benefit of our community. We will continue to avail of such opportunities that will improve the livelihood of our islands and our people,” Fitial said.
He said the completion of the dock renovation is a “wonderful accomplishment for our boating community and the commonwealth.”
“I urge everyone to use this facility with care so that our future generation may be able to reap the benefits of this worthy development,” Fitial added.
DLNR Secretary Dr. Ignacio T. Dela Cruz said the newly renovated facility can now serve more recreational boaters, fishermen and members of the community.
“We would like to thank all those who have been involved in the project — GPPC, Blu Water, J.C. Tenorio & Associates, and the Department of Public Works and all others for their collaborative efforts in seeing this project through,” Dela Cruz said.
Father Jesse T. Reyes blessed the newly renovated dock facility.
