HALONA BLOWHOLE VIEWING AREA AND PARKING LOT REOPENED

Mayor Mufi Hannemann today announced that the viewing area and parking lot at the famous Halona Blowhole have reopened following the successful completion of safety improvements.

“As we promised, this important project has been completed before whale-watching season begins, and the area is now safer and more attractive,” Mayor Hannemann said.

The project began in April, 2008. The construction schedule was selected in consultation with the Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Program.

A section of the lower level lookout collapsed in 1997 due to weathering, and had been closed since then. The upper viewing level had signs of severe deterioration.

The project included:

·       Demolition of the lower platform due to safety concerns, and restoration of the area to a natural appearance;

·       Reconstruction of the upper visitor viewing platform;

·       Provision of access for disabled people from the parking lot to the upper viewing area. Such access had not been available before;

·       Reconfiguration of the parking lot to improve pedestrian and motorist safety. The number of parking stalls remains the same.

Contact: City Design and Construction Department Director Eugene Lee, 768-8480