In a significant stride toward revitalizing local fishing and recreational activity in Puna, Hawai‘i, the dredging operation at Pohoiki Boat Ramp is moving ahead faster than expected. Crews have already removed approximately 42,000 cubic yards of black sand, rocks, and boulders—debris deposited during the devastating 2018 Kīlauea volcanic eruption. Equivalent to 42,000 large refrigerators in volume, this ambitious harbor dredging project is the largest ever undertaken by Hawai‘i’s Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR).
For the Puna community and local fishermen, the restoration of access to the ocean via the Pohoiki Boat Ramp isn’t just a convenience—it’s a long-awaited lifeline. This article delves into the scope, progress, and significance of this volcanic dredging operation.
The Aftermath of the 2018 Kīlauea Eruption
When Kīlauea erupted in 2018, it dramatically altered the landscape of Hawai‘i Island. Among the many affected areas was Pohoiki, where the eruption’s lava flows and oceanic interactions led to the accumulation of black sand and volcanic rock that completely blocked the boat ramp. Once a vital launch point for local fishing operations and ocean recreation, the ramp became inaccessible, forcing fishers to travel to Hilo’s Wailoa Small Boat Harbor—an expensive and time-consuming detour.
The consequences were severe. Several small commercial fishing businesses shut down due to the added logistical burden. Pohoiki, once a vibrant community hub around Isaac Hale Beach Park, lost a key piece of its functionality. The current dredging project is more than an engineering feat; it represents a return to normalcy for many in the Puna District.
Project Scope: Largest Harbor Dredging in DLNR History
The Pohoiki project represents an unprecedented scale of harbor dredging for DOBOR. While most state harbor maintenance involves the removal of soft sediment and sand, this initiative tackles volcanic dredging—a far more challenging task involving dense, hardened material.
The contractor, Goodfellow Bros., LLC, was tasked with clearing an estimated 42,000 cubic yards of volcanic debris. This material includes everything from loose sand to large boulders, which require heavy-duty excavation equipment and highly coordinated logistics. Once the inner basin is cleared, a crane will be deployed to establish a wide entrance channel—approximately 320 feet wide. Prior to the eruption, the natural bay had no clearly defined channel, and the navigable entrance was only about 40 feet wide.
Remarkable Progress and Ahead-of-Schedule Timeline
DOBOR Engineer Finn McCall visited the Pohoiki site in June 2025 and expressed astonishment at the rapid progress made by crews. With an official project deadline set for February 2026 and a hopeful target of November 2025, McCall was thrilled to see that nearly half the excavation was already complete.
“I’m absolutely blown away. I was not expecting them to get this far. It’s looking really good—like we may be done ahead of schedule,” said McCall.
The rapid pace has been achieved through strategic planning, the use of heavy equipment, and favorable working conditions. Massive excavators have been scooping out buckets of lava rock from the boat ramp area and transporting it to the nearby shoreline staging zones.
Community Impact and Economic Revival
The return of the Pohoiki Boat Ramp means more than restored access to the sea—it means a revival of local economic activity. Fishing, tour operations, and recreational boating in the Puna region will once again have a direct route to the ocean, eliminating the need for long, fuel-intensive journeys from Hilo.
“This has been one of the highest-priority projects I’ve worked on,” McCall noted. “The community is excited, and fishermen can’t wait to have the ramp and entrance restored.”
Indeed, for residents who have relied on Pohoiki as a cultural and economic hub, the dredging project has renewed optimism for the region’s recovery and long-term sustainability.
Engineering Challenges in Volcanic Dredging
Unlike standard harbor dredging operations that deal primarily with sediment or soft mud, volcanic dredging presents unique difficulties. The solidified lava rocks and dense black sand require a more robust approach—often involving specialized equipment that can break and remove compacted materials without damaging the underlying infrastructure or surrounding ecosystems.
Additionally, engineers must account for the possibility of re-sedimentation. While most harbors require dredging every seven to eight years, it’s uncertain how quickly volcanic debris or sand might fill back into the newly cleared channel at Pohoiki. McCall emphasized the importance of ongoing monitoring after the completion of the current project to determine future maintenance needs.
Environmental and Safety Considerations
The dredging project is being carried out with strict safety protocols in place. The area around the Pohoiki ramp remains an active construction site, and swimming or entering the work zone is strictly prohibited. While many people have enjoyed a warm “hot pond” that formed at the base of the blocked boat ramp, access to this area is currently off-limits.
Environmental measures have also been implemented to minimize disturbance to marine and shoreline ecosystems. Every effort is being made to ensure that dredged materials are handled responsibly and that any long-term impacts are assessed and mitigated.
Looking Forward: A Model for Future Projects
The Pohoiki project is not just a recovery operation—it sets a benchmark for how future volcanic dredging efforts can be managed in the face of natural disasters. With the increasing frequency of climate-related disruptions and geological events, infrastructure resilience is becoming more critical than ever. Projects like this one demonstrate the importance of preparation, community engagement, and technological adaptation in restoring essential facilities.
Conclusion
The swift progress of the Pohoiki dredging project is a testament to effective planning, engineering expertise, and community-driven motivation. As harbor dredging continues at an unprecedented scale, the effort to remove volcanic debris from the 2018 Kīlauea eruption marks a significant step in restoring ocean access to a vital region of Hawai‘i Island.
With completion potentially ahead of schedule, the return of the Pohoiki Boat Ramp promises economic renewal, cultural restoration, and improved resilience for years to come. As Hawai‘i faces ongoing environmental challenges, Pohoiki stands as a model of how strategic volcanic dredging can help communities bounce back stronger than before.