The Hawai'i Tourism Authority is seeking public input on ways to improve Hawai'i's state-owned parks.

Park visitors will be surveyed from July through October at facilities around the state.

The HTA has hired the OmniTrak Group research firm to help with the report, which will include an in-depth inventory and assessment of more than 60 highly visited parks statewide.

"Our first state parks survey was conducted in 2003, and the results gathered were used to prioritize improvements as well as provide policymakers with accurate and useful information about the state's parks and its users," said Rex Johnson, HTA president and chief executive.

"We are asking that parkgoers spare a few minutes to participate in the survey when approached. We want the data collected to be as complete and comprehensive as possible as we strive to improve our state parks for both residents and visitors to enjoy."

The survey will include random visits at a sampling of parks during various times of the day. Surveyors will be performing in-person observations and counts, as well as distributing and collecting written surveys.

The objectives of the survey are to determine the number of park visitors, identify park users (residents, in-state visitors and out-of-state visitors), examine the condition of park facilities and amenities, measure park users' satisfaction, and determine if improvements made since 2003 have had a positive impact on state parks.

The final report is scheduled to be completed Dec. 31 and include recommendations for Hawai'i's state parks.

Results of the last survey were published in 2005.

At that time, the HTA, with the members of its Natural Resources Advisory Group, formalized a plan to address the priority sites and projects, including: Akaka Falls State Park, Diamond Head State Monument, Ha'ena State Park, Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area, Kekaha Kai and a statewide signage and Web site program.