Posted on: Saturday, November 20, 2004

State to hold hearings on boat-harbor fee hikes

Associated Press

The state Board of Land and Natural Resources decided yesterday to hold public hearings on what would be the first fee increases in 10 years at the state's small boat harbors and boat ramps.

Fees at the state's 21 small boat harbors and 54 boat ramps, haven't gone up since 1995.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources says the fee increases would generate an additional $1.5 million to pay for major repairs and maintenance at the harbors.

The board approved holding statewide public hearings on the across-the-board increases, the first step toward raising the fees.

Board Chairman Peter Young has said the fee hikes could go into effect as soon as next year.

Under the proposal the state would group harbors and harbor fees into five separate levels, from highest to lowest. The Ala Wai harbor in Waikiki, the state's largest harbor, is Level A, the highest level and the highest rates. Under the state's proposed increase in the base slip rate, monthly rent for a 35-foot boat at the Ala Wai harbor would be $183.75, up from the current $143.50.