Daniel Mersburgh, Harbor Agent measuring damaged loading dock, courtesy DLNR.

(BIVN) – The recent damaging waves that struck West Hawaii wil result in the closure of a popular Kohala Coast boat ramp.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources announced it will close the Puako boat launch ramp from Tuesday January 7 through Wednesday January 8, for the removal of a loading dock which collapsed due to high surf on Dec. 20, 2013.

From the DLNR:

Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) engineers and Chairperson William J. Aila, Jr. inspected the damage on December 30.

Isemoto Contracting Co., Ltd. will use heavy machinery to remove the broken concrete loading dock that cracked in half.

The ramp will reopen for use as of Jan. 9, but there will be no loading dock available for boaters to use.

DOBOR is seeking bids for a temporary wooden dock replacement,. The pilings and pile cap appear to be usable for a temporary wooden loading dock.