Harbors

A Fond Farewell for Dale Andres

By: Arnold Fukumoto

After 34 years at the Harbors Division as an engineer, Dale Andres retired on July 31, 2020.

It was a double celebration as that day is also his birthday.

Dale was employed at the Engineering Maintenance Section for his entire DOT career.

The amount of repair projects he procured to maintain the Harbors facilities is upwards of 500, all of which he designed and drafted himself.

He was a huge part of our Harbors Ohana due to his multitude of talents.

Dale performed at our Christmas and other functions with his vocals and guitar. He would also be asked to say grace at these functions, providing the perfect words for the occasion.

His artwork is proudly displayed at several DOT offices.

Dale was a star basketball player for our DOT team in HGEA leagues.

But most of all his friendship and humor enriched everyone at Harbors.

Congratulations Dale! Thank you for your years of service with DOT and the State of Hawai‘i.

A New Face at Harbors - Derrick Carne

The Harbors Division would like to welcome aboard Derrick Carne to our Property Management Section.

Tell us your experience being hired amidst the COVID-19 pandemic:

In February 2020, I received an invitation to interview and quickly arrange a flight into Honolulu from Tampa, Florida, the following week. Shortly after, an offer came in from Harbors and I accepted. The plan was to be here in April 2020, but COVID-19 spreading around the world and plans got delayed. Finally, on June 1, I flew in on a nearly empty plane straight into the 14-day quarantine.

By: Joni Savusa

I made it to Hawaii and am glad to be part of the Property Management Team.

What made you want to move to Hawai‘i?

I lived here before for about 6 years while I was in the Navy and attended Hawaii Pacific University after service.

I grew up surfing in Florida but mediocre waves left me yearning to connect with the surf here once again.

Although surfing is a big part of moving back, I still have many friends here and enjoy everything else Hawai‘i has to offer.

Harbors

Harbors Police Train with New Taser 7 Electric Guns

By: Sgt. John JD DeJesus and Sgt. Gabe Delapenia

Harbors police officers are sworn State of Hawai‘i law enforcement personnel who provide police services for Hawaii’s commercial harbors.

They uphold the law and protect people and commercial property include shipping and cargo areas, maritime businesses, Aloha Tower Marketplace, Hawaii Pacific University and the Pier 38 Fishing Village.

Because Hawai‘i’s harbors bring in over 98% of consumer goods, including luxury items such as cars, electronics and tools, our commercial harbors are prime locations for criminal activity.

Harbors is also where people gather and work, with higher probabilities for conflict - if not addressed immediately - can result in bodily injury or even death.

Keeping the harbors safe is a 24/7 operation to ensure that when a situation arises officers are available and can quickly respond.

In 2019, Act 187 was signed into law by the Hawaii Legislature that would allow Harbors Police Officers to carry tasers. vehicle thefts, drownings, assaults and murders. Our Harbors Police Officers are trained to handle these conflicts and with the use of these tools will help in de-escalating the situation without further action.

In a remarkable show of solidarity, Deputy Director Derek Chow agreed to be tased in one of our electric gun training and certification sessions.

Chow was asked to share his perspective to assist in our training and understanding of this useful compliance tool.

“Anyone who may face the consequence of being tased should consider complying with the officer,” admitted Chow.

“It’s worse than probably putting all your fingers, toes and your tongue in an electric outlet,” said Chow.

Brave Deputy Director Derek Chow takes one for the team and gets tased during Harbors Police training. Thank goodness he’s alive.

“I will remember the sound of the taser being fired and the crackling sound of the electric current for what felt like the longest 5 seconds of my life. It seemed like forever.”

After acquiring electric guns and implementing policy, officers have undergone extensive training and certification in its use.

While on routine patrols, Harbors Police have encountered various crimes including motor “I am proud and grateful of Harbors Police Officers who risk their safety each day in protecting the public and our Harbor community,” said Chow. “The use of the taser weapon adds to their repertoire of effective law enforcement tools.”

Harbors

Green Light on Pier 24-28 Utilities Improvement Project By: Sharilyn Ikeda and Carter Luke

Utilities Improvements project for Piers 2428 at Honolulu Harbor has been awarded to MIRA Image Construction, LLC.

This $12.8 million project is part of the overall Harbors Modernization Plan and will provide for needed infrastructure improvements to harbor users, some of which were relocated because of the Kapalama Container Terminal construction.

Improvements include a new sewer system, potable water, fire hydrants, communication and electrical services. that facilitates the efficient movement of people and goods to, from and between the Hawaiian Islands.

It will also involve demolition and partial removal of the existing electrical system and the utility feeds to each subdivided tenant lot.

Notice to Proceed was issued on Aug 2, 2020 and construction of improvements are underway and are anticipated to be completed within a year.

This project is just a small, but important part of Harbors project phasing that allows for the new Kapalama Container Terminal. The harbor system is vital to the economic viability and security of the state as more than 80 percent of all goods consumed by people in Hawaii are imported, and of that more than 98% is shipped in through the commercial harbors system.

The Harbors Modernization Plan is a comprehensive plan to revitalize and upgrade Hawaii’s commercial harbor facilities. It will help to effectively manage and operate Hawai‘i’s statewide commercial harbors system, No state general fund taxpayer money is being used on the construction.

projects like Piers 24-28. The HDOT Harbors Division is self-sufficient and generates revenue from harbor user fees and charges to pay for operating and maintenance costs, as well as to fund capital improvement

Harbors

Maui District Launches New Security & Disaster Recovery Boat By: Duane Kim

During July, the Harbors Division announced commissioning three (3) 27-foot long and one (1) 29-foot long aluminum monohulled boats new Security and Disaster Recovery vessels to be launched at Hilo and Kawaihae Harbors, Hawai‘i; Kahului Harbor, Maui. The veessels are capable for crossing the channels to support recovery efforts at Kaumalapau Harbor, Lanai, and Kaunakakai Harbor, Moloka’i; and Nawiliwili Harbor, Kauai. The vessels were designed in collaboration with the US Army Corp of Engineers and equipped with carry side scan sonar designed to conduct first response assessments of underwater hazards that can obstruct safe navigation or prevent vessels from tying up to our piers after a tropical storm, earthquake, hurricane or tsunami.

On July 25-26, the threat of Hurricane Douglas (Dougie) came dangerously close to the islands. Dougie passed Hawai‘i and came close to Maui. Kahului Harbor is the only commercial harbors on the north side of any of the State commercial ports making Dougie a high risk of causing damage to the Kahului Harbor, and the rest of the islands in the path of the storm.

As the storm passed, Maui District launched the Ke Ali’i O Ke Kai at 0600 on July 27th to initiate its search for submerged debris. How the side-scan works is the Ke Ali’i O Ke Kai tows the Side-scan sonar device that emits conical or fan-shaped pulses down toward the seafloor across a wide angle perpendicular to the path of the sensor through the water.

On July 27, the Ke Ali’i O Ke Kai provided a video, and Maui District Manager Duane Kim provided a photo of the video of the scan at Pier 1, Kahului Harbor.

On the right side of the picture what looks like a spring is Pier 1. The odd share items are rocks. To the left edge of the picture is the harbor. The good news is that the sonar scans did not detect any underwater hazards that would have obstructed the safe navigation or prevent vessels from tying up to the piers.

The Ke Ali’i O Ke Kai did detect two schools of fish (shown to the left and right of the center line.)

Sorry, no fishing in the commercial ports!