Legislature

Renaissance Fare?

by Nicholas Warren Crump | Feb 4, 2009

Recreational Renaissance / Last Thursday, Gov. Linda Lingle announced a proposal that addresses many outstanding issues regarding the Hawaii state park system. This plan, which the governor and her allies have coined a “recreational renaissance,” would encompass renovations to 54 state parks, 20 small boat harbors, 25 boat ramps or landings, 275 miles of hiking trails, 19 natural area reserves, 55 forest reserves and hundreds of miles of state beach. Oahu will be the home stop to 73 of these projects including improving trails at Diamond Head, Manoa Falls and major renovations to Sand Island State Park.

There is a cost, however, to the preservation of our islands’ natural beauty. Paying for all of this will begin with a $40 million General Obligation bond, then the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources plans to earn revenue from commercial and industrial rents on state lands as well as imposing non-resident fees for use of the recreational infrastructure. These measures are expected to pay off the other $200 million in General Obligation Reimbursable bonds which the DLNR will need to fund these projects.

The DLNR stresses that all costs associated with the repayment of these bonds will be paid for without tax dollars. To achieve this, the state must generate $3 million annually from lease rents of their 124,000 acres of public lands. Also, they will have to raise $4 million annually from increases in small boat harbor fees, limited commercial uses in Ala Wai and Keehi Harbors and entry fees for non-residents at eight high tourist destination parks. Lastly, they anticipate that within six years they will be able to accumulate $6 million in revenue from developing public lands with high potential through public-private partnerships.

DLNR Chair Laura Thielen said eight high volume tourist parks will begin charging out-of-state user fees as soon as improvements begin. The model will be identical to that of Diamond Head National Monument, which charges non-residents $1 per person or $5 per carload. Lingle has endorsed the plan, which is part of the Hawaii State House of Representatives’ majority package.

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