Beginning September 2, Isaac Kepoʻokalani Hale Beach Park in Puna will be closed until further notice to support public safety efforts during crane dredging operations at the Pohoiki Boat Ramp.

The work is part of a $9.28 million contract the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) awarded to Goodfellow Bros., LLC, to remove sand and other lava debris accumulated during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption and restore a wide entrance channel for the boat ramp. The project is scheduled to be completed by November.

The boat ramp restoration project, which began in June, is entering a phase that requires a crane to dredge volcanic debris on the ocean side of the channel. On Sept. 3, crane dredging operations will begin and will continue through Oct. 31.

Photo credit: Hawaiʻi County Mayor’s Office