PUHI, Kaua'i — Opposition was a common thread last night among Kaua'i residents testifying about the state's proposed "Recreational Renaissance Plan B."

• Opposition to raising boating fees at Kaua'i harbors.
• Opposition to putting up a gate and charging fees to tourists entering Koke'e State Park.
• Opposition to charging a fee at Ha'ena State Park and taking the money elsewhere.

Of the first 20 speakers out of more than 80 people at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School last night, only one voiced support — in this case, for a proposal for a public shooting range on Kaua'i.

Last night's public hearing on Kaua'i, along with those on Moloka'i and in Hilo, were the first in a series of statewide meetings as the state Department of Land and Natural Resources rolls out its "Back to Basics" proposal to pay for deferred maintenance and repairs of state recreational facilities in the face of budget cutbacks.

The DLNR's plan is its proposed alternative to a $240 million capital improvement plan for state parks and recreational facilities that failed to get legislative approval last year. An outline of the plan is at www.hawaii.gov/dlnr.

According to the plan outline, the state proposes to "within two years, generate $8 million annually in new, nontaxpayer revenue to support routine and scheduled repair, maintenance, and improved operations in state parks, harbors, hiking trails, boat ramps and piers.
"New revenue will make sure we can keep our parks, harbors, trails, boat ramps and piers open despite drastic drop in state revenues."
Last night, Susan LeHoven testified that "The rate increases (for boating slips) they are suggesting are ridiculous. I don't think they realize that this money they think they're going to be getting, they aren't going to get, because we can't afford it."
Ned Dana said Kaua'i residents see the proposals as O'ahu-generated, which makes them suspect since "you already ruined your island."
Dana accused the state of trying to make an "end run" around the Koke'e Advisory Council, a group of Kaua'i residents that has been working to responsibly plan for the park's future.
"This whole process has been done incorrectly," Dana said. "You should have asked the public, what do we want, how to make this work."
Mary Lu Kelley testified that, "I don't like the way the Recreational Renaissance Plan B is being pushed ahead on the Koke'e and Waimea Canyon State Parks master plan."
"This plan includes gates at many parks, including Koke'e. Many times, the people of Koke'e have said, we do not want a gate," Kelley said.
Kelley and others said they are concerned that entry fees collected on Kaua'i will go off-island to help other parks or nonpark uses.
Noting that the state parks budget is $9 million a year, Kelley said, "this administration spent $40 million on the Superferry. That's four years of state parks funding wasted."