Water Ways
State should get out
of marina businessAS veteran Water Ways readers (both of them) know, I periodically take note of the editorial views on Hawaii's recreational boating community expressed by mainland periodicals.
And because I consider the Bay Area's Latitude 38 to be one of the most universally accepted authorities on sailing --both racing and cruising -- I also think its publisher's opinion deserves our consideration.
"Is there a more messed up marina than Hawaii's state-managed Ala Wai Marina in Honolulu?" Richard Spindler writes.
"We don't think so," he continues. "Let's see who has suffered.
"Taxpayers -- They've been taking it in the shorts since the always-full marina -- long home to ridiculously low slip fees --has never come close to paying for itself.
"Berthers -- They've had to endure some of the most dilapidated and unsafe marina facilities we've ever seen.
"Potential Boat owners -- Folks who would like to sail off to Honolulu have a tough time because there's such a long waiting list at the Ala Wai. Once again, part of the reason is slip rents that are so far below market that only a fool would give one up -- even if he/she never uses his/her boat anymore.
"The marine industry -- The inability of new sailors to get berthing has suffocated the local marine industry. The Ala Wai, with excellent sailing weather year-round, should always be active. It's usually dead.
"Transients and the environment -- It's a long, long way from the transient dock to any restroom facilities, which encourages people who 'gotta go' to do so in the local waters. This lack of rudimentary facilities fails both transients and the water quality."
From my perspective, Spindler's observations show a pretty clear understanding of many of the mooring problems in our state-run marinas. But I think he may have somewhat missed the mark regarding the mooring fees issue.
Because the Boating Special Fund is supported by boating-generated revenue only, taxpayers in general have never been directly effected.
At one time the Ala Wai's docks were new -- if not particularly well designed. It's just that from the get-go the state never charged enough for them to cover their maintenance and/or replacement.
And this is especially true when the state continually siphons off funds to support its other, less affluent marinas.
So without proper maintenance the docks became "dilapidated" and the state became something of slum landlord. It became difficult to charge higher fees for junk moorings, but without added revenue, it didn't have the funds to rebuild the docks.
Recently though, the state found a way to replace about 180 slips in the Ala Wai -- for about twice the price of a similar project at the Waikiki Yacht Club.
Nevertheless, the mooring fees for those new docks have remained low, whereas the WYC's slip fees have nearly doubled to recover their cost.
Today's public hearings the state is holding around the islands regarding a planned mooring fee increase may lead in the right direction.
Still, I tend to agree with Spindler on his final assessment: "If the state of Hawaii got out of the marina business tomorrow, it wouldn't be a day too soon."
Ray Pendleton is a free-lance writer based in Honolulu.
His column runs Saturdays in the Star-Bulletin.
He can be reached by e-mail at raypendleton@mac.com.