Posted on: Monday, February 16, 2004
Maui's south coast gets boost from new tourism agency program
Advertiser Staff
Starting this summer, two state-hired rangers will patrol the 'Ahihi-Kina'u Natural Area Reserve and La Perouse Bay on Maui's south coast — areas that have come under increasing pressure from recreational visitors, illegal fishing and off-road vehicles.
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources announced Friday that money for the rangers will come from a $460,000 grant from the Hawai'i Tourism Agency's new Natural Environment Program.
The money also will be used to develop a cultural resource management plan, install buoys to mark the waters of the natural area reserve, maintain the portable toilets already installed by DLNR, and install signs to make visitors aware of the need to protect natural and cultural resources.
Rex Johnson, HTA president and chief executive officer, said the new program aims to enhance Hawai'i's tourism by protecting its natural resources.
With enough financing for three years, the rangers are expected to help the public understand how to respect the resources of Maui's south coast and avoid damage to the reef, land and historic features, according to state officials.
While they are not law-enforcement officers, the rangers will be notifying conservation officers if they see illegal activities such as vandalism, littering and poaching of marine wildlife.
The Hawai'i Wildlife Fund will receive $103,274 to conduct a "Think Island" education campaign that includes presentations to visitors in hotels on Maui's outdoor environment and historic places. The group also will survey visitor activities at La Perouse and install an interpretative kiosk at the "Dumps" coastal parking lot area.
The state has applied for permits with the Army Corps of Engineers to install and maintain boundary buoys in waters of the reserve. The buoys are intended to keep out motorized vessels that are not allowed in 'ahihi-Kina'u waters. In addition to threatening marine resources through illegal fishing activities, the vessels pose a threat to swimmers, snorkelers and scuba divers.
