Laupahoehoe Harbor is located on the northeastern shoreline of the island of Hawaii on the Hamakua Coast. The project was authorized under Section 107 of the River and Harbor Act of 1960. It was completed in 1988 at a cost of $3,760,000 (Federal: $2,930,000; non-Federal: $830,000).
The project consists of a 200-foot-long breakwater, 60-foot-long wave absorber, 9.5-foot-deep entrance channel, and a 7.5-foot-deep turning basin. Due to the heavy wave climate of the area, the project was designed to provide navigation safety conditions for approximately 60% of the year. The local sponsor is the County of Hawaii, Department of Parks and Recreation.