Repairs to limit use of Ahukini Pier

Repairs will force limited closure of the popular Ahukini State Recreational Pier starting Nov. 17.

According to a press release from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, the pier will be closed from 7:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday while repairs are being made to the 180-foot-long walkway planking and railing.

Repairs will focus on the replacement of existing deteriorated boardwalk planks as well as repairing other boardwalk areas such as the railing and steps.

The work is expected to take three weeks to complete.

The pier will be open when work is not being conducted. This includes state holidays and safety measures will be implemented during the times the pier is open.

Ahukini is situated at the mouth of the Hanama‘ulu stream and consists of a cement pier with a wooden walkway.

The pier is an excellent spot for pole fishing and crab netting, and recently, a popular stopping off spot for tour buses due to the opportunity it affords for viewing the scenery of Hanama‘ulu Bay.

Hanama‘ulu Bay is a state fishery management area and strict regulations on spearfishing and net fishing apply to the area, the release states.

The original site of Ahukini pier was a small boat landing that was significantly expanded in the 1920s to accommodate larger vessels that serviced the sugar plantations in East Kaua‘i. The pier construction, the first of its kind on Kaua‘i, allowed inter-island and overseas vessels to tie up for loading and unloading.

Ahukini pier was used extensively until the improvement of Nawiliwili Harbor following World War II. It was abandoned in June 1950 and later dismantled.

In 1978 the pier and adjoining lands were established as Ahukini State Recreation Pier and converted into a recreational fishing pier.

Repair work will comply with state historic preservation requirements regarding historic structures and be conducted only on constructed improvements and not touch any of the historic pier elements.