PUHI — More than 60 concerned citizens rallied for the second meeting of the Koke‘e State Park Advisory Council, Thursday, at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School. The six council members, led by Chair Michele Ho‘okano, met with Daniel Quinn and Lauren
PUHI — More than 60 concerned citizens rallied for the second meeting of the Koke‘e State Park Advisory Council, Thursday, at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School.
The six council members, led by Chair Michele Ho‘okano, met with Daniel Quinn and Lauren Tanaka of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. The meeting agenda featured an update on the Recreational Renaissance Plan, an update on the auction for recreation residences and discussion of the Koke‘e and Waimea Canyon state parks prefinal draft master plan.
The council and the public voiced strong reservations about the $16 million worth of developments proposed for Koke‘e and Waimea Canyon in the Recreational Renaissance Plan. The developments include parking areas for the Kukui, Awaawapuhi and Nualolo trails, interpretive displays and a new Ni‘ihau lookout.
Public attendees also repeatedly stressed the need for ongoing trail and restroom maintenance at Koke‘e.
At one point, a member of the public cried out, “Just fix what’s broken!” while others murmured their agreement.
Quinn responded that the DNLR hopes to adopt the asset management model used by national parks, which inventories facilities and assesses the cost for regular maintenance, enabling state parks staff to better communicate with lawmakers about how much money is needed.
Council members questioned proposed entry fees to Koke‘e State Park and Waimea Canyon and asked whether these fees would be directly reinvested in these parks or be dedicated to paying debts and supporting other parks statewide.
Quinn said because the state parks are in dire need of funding, the entry fees are a necessary means of producing revenue. He reassured the council and the public that anyone with a Hawai‘i state ID card would be able to freely access the parks and that only visitors would pay entry fees, under the proposed plan.
He also clarified that the revenue raised by fees will go to a statewide special fund to help support all parks, including those such as Polihale which do not raise any income.
The upcoming auction for 15 recreational residences in Koke‘e will provide another source of revenue for DNLR. The first round will be open to Kaua‘i residents only, the second to all Hawai‘i residents and the third to all interested parties.
Finally, Quinn announced current park projects, which include improvements for Kalalau lookout and a failed water system. Kaua‘i contractors interested in bidding on projects may contact the Engineering Division.
For more information, contact Lauren Tanaka, planner, at 808-587-0293 or e-mail lauren.a.tanaka@hawaii.gov. To track the progress of the Recreational Renaissance Plan funding, visit capitol.hawaii.gov and search for the status of Senate Bill 636, which will be heard by the Finance Committee at 4 p.m., Monday, in House conference room 308 in Honolulu.
