The Maui News – An update on proposed Lahaina Small Boat Harbor ferry pier improvements will be hosted by state Rep. Angus McKelvey and state Sen. Roz Baker, who represent West Maui, and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources on Thursday.

The meeting will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Na Aikane O Maui Cultural Center located at 526-A Front St.

The new interisland ferry pier will be located about 70 feet north of the existing public pier at the Lahaina Small Boat Harbor. It will be approximately 115 feet long and 20 feet wide and will be on piles.

The work also will include:

* Construction of four open-sided, shade roof structures 14 feet in height, connected by three open trellises on the ferry pier to shelter passengers during arrivals and departures.

* Construction of two sewage pump-out stations.

* Construction of a 16-foot-by-70-foot concrete gangway to connect the existing pier with the new pier structure.

* Replacement of the existing harbor administration office.

* Resurfacing of a portion of Wharf Street to facilitate safe passenger/pedestrian movement in and around the small boat harbor.

A final environmental impact statement, filed in June 2014, said that the existing pier is “unable to efficiently and safely support the current level and anticipated level of usage.”

The pier is used by Lanai and Molokai ferries (though the operators of the Molokai ferry currently are attempting to terminate service), cruise ship tenders and commercial boat operators.

The number of passengers offloading and onloading at current docking facilities ranged from 300 to 3,000 passengers per day, according to the report.

The EIS may be viewed at oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Maui/2010s/2014-06-23-MA-5B-FEIS-Lahaina-Smaill-Boat-Harbor-Ferry-Pier-Improvements.pdf.