Posted on: Tuesday, July 30, 2002
Cayetano suggests charging park fees
By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer
Gov. Ben Cayetano says it may be time to start charging fees at state parks to make up an $84 million deficit needed for repairs and maintenance. But Hawai'i's parks administrator said that while new fees are possible at some facilities, he doesn't believe it would be enforceable everywhere.
"I don't think there will ever be a blanket charge for all (Hawai'i) parks," said Dan Quinn of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. "That is something that just won't work. We would have to staff all those areas to collect fees. If you look at the folks at Hanauma Bay, they have a dozen or so cashiers on board. We barely have enough staff to keep up with the basics, much less to collect money."
The fee issue arose after Quinn expressed concern last week over the deteriorating condition of Hawai'i's state parks and the DLNR's dwindling maintenance money.
The DLNR's budget for parks has dropped about 25 percent since 1995, from $9.5 million to $7 million, with $750,000 allocated for repairs and maintenance at 70 different properties. The number of park workers has been cut, from more than 160 to 124.
Cayetano said the Legislature has reduced spending on state parks over the past decade, giving priority to education and other more pressing needs and that charging entry fees, which is done in most states, may be the way to turn around the long-term maintenance problems.
According to the National Association of State Park Directors 2002 annual report, Hawai'i ranks 40th in the nation for park-generated revenues, bringing in just $1.1 million. California topped the list with almost $69 million. Six states recorded no park-generated revenue at all.
Sen. Donna Mercado Kim, D-15th (Kalihi Valley, 'Aiea), said the idea of entry fees should be looked at, but she would like to see how much money it would raise and whether it would deter people from using the parks.
"It is premature until we can see that," Kim said. "I'm not sure how that would go over with the general public. Is the money going to be dedicated solely for the park? Clearly something has to be done."
Quinn said the only entry fee charged at any Hawai'i state park is $1 per person to enter the Diamond Head State Monument.
The Diamond Head fee structure will change in September when the state begins charging $5 per car and $40 per bus to enter the crater. Walkers and bicyclists will continue to pay the $1 fee.
Other state park revenue comes from cabin and camping fees, concession stands and special use permits.
The 2000 Legislature mandated that the DLNR find alternative sources of revenue to pay for park maintenance, Quinn said.
"The way our rules are currently structured, we'd need to revise the state parks administrative rules to charge entry fees," Quinn said. "It would have to go through the Land Board and public hearing."
But Quinn said the Land Board does have the authority to impose fees and does not need specific approval from the Legislature.
"Entry fees have been discussed," he said. "The last time we revised the state parks rules we included a provision to authorize charging for parking. At that time, the consideration for entry fees was focused only on Diamond Head."
At Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and Haleakala National Park, people pay $5 each to enter and drivers parking in the lots pay $10 per car. Across the nation, state parks admission fees range from 50 cents to $12.
Quinn said state parks need money for everything from basic landscaping, restroom maintenance and general upkeep to new roadways, water lines and sewage systems. Vandalism takes a big chunk of the budget, he said.
"We take care of some pretty marvelous places, but it is a challenge," Quinn said. "We certainly do need to pursue different ways of doing business."
