Survey shows problems at Hawai'i state parks
By Kelly Yamanouchi
Advertiser Staff Writer
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| Jackie Frankenberger battles the wind as she takes pictures of her daughters, Emma, 7, and Katy, 9, at the Pali Lookout. Forty percent of those using state parks visit the parks on O'ahu.
Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser |
About 9.2 million people visit state parks annually, including 6.3 million nonresidents — many arriving on bus tours. That overloads facilities designed to serve far fewer visitors, worrying officials who hear complaints from visitors and residents alike.
Visitors are happy with natural resources at parks, according to the survey, but unhappy with restrooms, food concessions and security. They are moderately satisfied with signs.
"Some of this we're already working on," said Dan Quinn, state parks administrator. "Now that we have the survey work done, we'll sort of refilter the priorities."
With the state parks attracting more visitors, "of course that's having an impact," said Yara Lamadrid-Rose, park coordinator for Diamond Head. "Our facilities need some help."
Among the biggest needs is improving the Diamond Head restrooms, which were built in the 1970s, Lamadrid-Rose said. "We get complaints about our restrooms, which is, you know, to be expected. It can definitely use some upgrading."
Nu'uanu Pali Lookout: 1,106,894 users a year Ha'ena State Park (Kaua'i): 741,969 users Diamond Head State Monument: 626,826 users Wailua River State Park (Kaua'i): 615,812 users Na Pali Coast State Park (Kaua'i): 537,480 users Source: Hawai'i State Parks Survey prepared for Hawai'i Tourism Authority by OmniTrak Group Inc.
Some relief for the park system is in sight. When hotel tax revenues reach a set level, the tourism authority is required by state law to spend $1 million annually to manage, improve and protect the state's natural environment and visitor areas. That money has become available this fiscal year.
Five most popular parks
Diamond Head is scheduled to get new restrooms by June 2005 using a portion of the money. But Lamadrid-Rose hopes Diamond Head will continue to be a high priority for other types of improvements.
Some tourism officials have argued that the hotel tax revenue mandate directs too much financing away from tourism industry needs, such as promotion and marketing. But supporters of the allocation have pointed to the increasing burden on the parks from out-of-state visitors.
Nearly 90 percent of park visitors from out-of-state are from North America.
OmniTrak Group Inc. conducted the parks survey for the Hawai'i Tourism Authority from July 2003 to January 2004. The group collected more than 11,000 questionnaires, counted park visitors and audited park facilities.
The survey is intended in part to help officials decide which park projects should get money.
"What we wanted to find out was how many visitors versus how many residents were using the state assets and what things were like," said Rex Johnson, executive director of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority.
O'ahu attracts the largest share of state park visitors, drawing 40 percent of those who use the parks. Kaua'i follows with 33 percent, Maui with 17 percent and the Big Island with 10 percent.
Reach Kelly Yamanouchi at 535-2470 or kyamanouchi@honoluluadvertiser.com.
