Hearing on parking in state small boat harbors

The Department of Land and Natural Resources will be holding statewide public hearings beginning next week regarding input on proposed amendments to administrative rules relating to motor vehicle parking at state small boat harbors.

“The input we receive from the public will be valuable as we work to standardize parking rules statewide as part of our ongoing effort to improve management of all our boating facilities, including providing enhanced parking services,” Laura Thielen, DLNR chairperson, said.

The proposed rule amendments are needed to allow the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation to: 1. more effectively manage parking at state small boat harbors and related facilities; 2. provide additional security that will be a requirement of a parking management permit; 3. increase fees to provide additional funds to improve boating facilities statewide; 4. fund other boating program activities; and 5. comply with HRS 91-5 (a) requiring revision and compilation of rules every 10 years.

“We believe that the proposed changes are reasonable and equitable, and would help the state better manage boating facilities, improve services and generate additional funds that can be used to make much needed improvements at small boat harbors around the state,” Thielen said.

The public hearing on Kaua‘i will be held Dec. 22 from 1-3 p.m. at the Wilcox Elementary School Cafeteria, 4319 Hardy Street, Lihu‘e.

Interested parties are invited to attend and present either oral or written statements on the proposed amendments.

Written statements may be submitted at the public hearing or to the Chairperson up to one week after the last public hearing date, which is Dec. 28 in Maui.

A copy of the proposed rule changes will be mailed at no charge upon receipt of verbal or written request to the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, 333 Queen St., Suite 300, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96813. Copies can be downloaded at www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dobr/bordraftrules.htm.