Maintenance dredging at the Kihei boat-launch ramp starts today. The last dredging was in 1999.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources hired American Marine Corp. to remove about 4,500 cubic yards of sand from the boat- ramp basin and entrance channel. The $543,600 job is to take 90 days.

The boat ramp and entrance channel will be closed Mondays through Thursdays from 7 to 11 a.m. and noon to 5 p.m. Open hours are 11 a.m. to noon and 5 p.m. to 7 a.m.

For emergency access to the harbor, boaters should call American Marine on marine VHF Channel 16.