State seeks boat fee increase

By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Staff Writer

In a move to collect an additional $3 million a year for improvements and maintenance of public boating facilities, the state Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation proposes to increase nearly every fee and create new ones.

The division will hold public hearings around the state Saturday on a 114-page set of proposed rules that have been in the works since 1995.

Officials said the fee increases should help address numerous deficiencies at the state's small boat harbors. The most recent audit of the program described marinas falling apart and more than $130 million in needed repairs.

Some of the biggest increases will be in mooring fees. Annual fees at Lahaina Harbor will double, and at Ala Wai Harbor nearly triple. All other small boat harbors will see 35 percent increases.

In addition, those fees will rise 10 percent across the board the second year, 5 percent the third year and 3 percent in each of the following three years.

Higher fees also are being proposed for the use of boat ramps, from $25 to $120 a year.

And new fees are being created for special events and for buses and vans loading passengers at the harbors.

A sampling of the other proposed rules:

• New commercial activity permits for kayak tour operators would cost $200 or 2 percent of monthly gross. A guide would be required for every eight tour customers.

• Commercial activity monthly permit fees would rise from $75 to $200, or 2 percent of monthly gross.

• New permits for parasailing and other commercial thrill-craft operators would be issued at public auction.