Dozens of protesters rallied in Waikiki yesterday against an effort by the state to charge the public to park at small boat harbors. The group was mostly upset because they contend the fees would deny access to an ocean area near the Hilton lagoon cherished by surfers and other recreational users.

But they said the move would adversely affect people on the Neighbor Islands as well.

"We feel they are taking the rights away from the public because if we don't have money, we aren't going to be able to come in with a car because they're going to put a toll booth up front," said Melissa Ling-Ing.

She is a spokeswoman for the Common Ground Hawai'i, one of several groups at the rally that opposes rule changes proposed by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources that include charging the public hourly parking fees within the harbor.

"So, they are denying us access to a public beach," she said. "Basically, they are generating revenue for the harbor through parking fees. They are going to start with the Ala Wai. But it's going to affect all the parking lots in the small boat harbors in the state."

While a contingent of about a dozen police officers maintained a vigil near the protesters, the two-hour rally remained peaceful — with participants singing songs, urging onlookers and passers-by to sign petitions, and, for a $7 donation, handing out bright red T-shirts bearing the slogan, "Friends of Ala Wai Harbors & Beaches: Free Beach Access — No Parking Fees."

DLNR spokeswoman Deborah Ward said there seemed to be some misunderstanding among the protesters about the state's plans.

She said the state intends to "maintain free parking at the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor's 130-stall lot near the helipad/lagoon for ocean recreation users."

"We are also proposing modest public parking fees for the remainder of the harbor's parking stalls, which will deter all-day parking by persons not using the beach or harbor facilities."

Furthermore, she said DLNR has held public meetings on the issue and will hold more to consider people's thoughts on the proposed rule amendments.

But boat owner and slip permit holder Janet Mandrell wasn't convinced. She said DLNR has made up its mind and is trying to control the outcome to appear as if most slip holders favor the parking fee plan.

"I'd like to see sincere public participation," said Mandrell, who's with the Makai Society, a grass roots group that works to preserve a maritime lifestyle for residents of Hawai'i. "It is the shoe-horning of public opinion that I don't like."

Protesters say DLNR surveyed more than 560 permitted slip users, but only 20 percent responded. Out of those respondents, DLNR said 60 percent favored privatization of the parking.

However, boat owner Jerry Hughes, who has lived at a harbor slip for 18 years, said his primary concern all along has been that the harbor had enough parking for boaters and surfers.

He said the survey was a one-question sheet that asked for a yes or no response. He was one of the 20 percent who responded favorably because the question asked if the recipient favored a controlled parking plan.

"Sure," said Hughes, who was sporting a red "Free Beach Access" T-shirt. "I favor a controlled parking plan."

Trouble is, "we still don't know what the controlled plan is."

Reach Will Hoover at whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com.