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LOCATION:

KAHULUI HARBOR, HAWAII (West and East Breakwaters)

(Initiation of Planning)

Kahului Harbor is located on the north coast of the island of Maui, about 90 nautical miles southeast of Honolulu.

1910, 1916, and 1927 River and Harbor Acts

AUTHORIZATION:

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KAHULUI HARBOR, HAWAII (West and East Breakwaters) Cont'd)

PRESENT CONDITION: The Kahului breakwaters were completed in fiscal years 1931 and 1932,
respectively. They are basically rubblemound structures consisting of a core of small-size
stone protected by a single armor-layer of 8-ton stone. Both breakwaters were severely damaged
by the storm of April 1954, after which the heads were rebuilt using concrete monoliths and
armored with 33-ton tetrapods. The storm of November 1958 swept away some tetrapods, dislodged
many armor stone, undermined the monoliths and breached the east breakwater.

The 158-foot breach

in the east breakwater was plugged with stone and a concrete cap and minor remedial work was done
on the west breakwater in November 1959 to forestall further damages and reduce surge action in
the harbor. Since this work amounted to only temporary restoration of the damaged areas, con-
tinuous pounding of waves has removed or displaced some cap and core stone and the integrity of
the breakwaters as protective structures has been impaired. Both breakwaters are in a weakened

condition.

JUSTIFICATION: Kahului Harbor is the only deepwater harbor on the island of Maui serving a
population of approximately 36,000. Kahului Harbor is essential to the economy of the entire
island. During 1959, 603 vessels arrived at and 613 vessels departed from Kahului Harbor, and
a total of 676,386 tons of cargo were handled through the port. The drafts of vessels ranged
from 35 feet to less than 18 feet. The average annual commerce from 1950 through 1959 was
625,000 tons.

Kahului Harbor is exposed to waves generated in a vast expanse of ocean extending to the
North. The breakwaters are unable to withstand severe storm waves which damage the breakwaters
every few years. Substantial maintenance funds have been expended on the breakwaters due to
the continual damage sustained by the structures. In view of the weakened condition of the
structures, it is reasonable to believe that another storm would cause complete failure of at
least the east breakwater. Without protection of the breakwaters the harbor would be closed to
navigation during inclement weather due to severe surge action in the harbor. Further, navigation
through the entrance channel would be extremely hazardous throughout the year. Rehabilitation of
the breakwaters in accordance with current engineering criteria is urgently needed in order that
the structures will withstand severe storm waves and provide the imperative need of protection to
navigation. Deferment of the permanent work would undoubtedly result in the loss of the temporary
repair work and further damage may possibly double the estimated cost of rehabilitation.
requested in Fiscal Year 1962 will permit completion of advance engineering and design.

The funds

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Mr. CANNON. That is apparently for rehabilitation, Colonel. wonder if you could explain just what the nature of that rehabilitation project is?

Colonel TARBOX. Sir, the breakwaters in Kahului Harbor were severely damaged by a storm in April 1954, after which they were rebuilt using concrete monoliths and armor of 33-ton tetrapods. Mr. CANNON. Do you consider those permanent?

Colonel TARBOX. They were built that way, but they have been washed away by subsequent storms in 1958. Some of them have at least, and that requires rehabilitation. We have made temporary repairs to the 158-foot breach in the east breakwater, and done other work as temporary measures, but later storms weakened the temporary repairs and damaged the integrity of these breakwaters.

Mr. PILLION. Mr. Chairman.

Mr. CANNON. The gentleman from New York.

Mr. PILLION. How will you improve your breakwaters? What do you intend to do to stop the recurring breach by the storm?

Colonel TARBOX. The purpose of this planning money is to determine that, sir, but generally we will pour concrete heads on the ends of the breakwaters to keep the storm waves from dislodging this protective stone, and we will design the size of the stone and the placing of it to meet the conditions which we have found necessary

to meet.

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

Mr. CANNON. On “Operation and maintenance," you are asking for $687,000.

We will insert pages 11 and 12 in the record at this point.

(Pp. 11 and 12 of the justifications as follow :)

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The budget estimate of $686,000 provides for essential maintenance work on 6 channel and harbor projects named in the list which follows. The work to be accomplished under this activity consists of maintaining the navigation channels and harbors improvements in State of Hawaii by dredging and repair of jetties, as authorized in the laws adopting river and harbor projects.

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The budget estimate of $1,000 provides for inspection of completed works during the budget year.

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b.

Channel improvements, inspections and miscellaneous maintenance (Continued)

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