Hearings on harbor
fees OK’d

Proposed hikes would take in
an additional $1.5 million a year
for repairs, the state says

A state board has approved holding public hearings on what would be the first fee increases in 10 years at the state's small-boat harbors and boat ramps.

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.

Fees at the state's 21 small-boat harbors and 54 boat ramps have not gone up since 1995.

The state Board of Land and Natural Resources yesterday approved holding statewide public hearings on the across-the-board increases, the first step toward raising the fees.

"This is not actually the step that raises the fees," said Deborah Ward, a department spokeswoman.

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 harbor would be $183.75, up from the current $143.50.

Level B harbors include Honokohau Harbor on the Big Island and the Lahaina and Maalaea harbors on Maui; Level C harbors include community harbors such as Haleiwa and Waianae on Oahu, Nawiliwili on Kauai and Keauhou on the Big Island; Levels D and E include small harbors with few or undeveloped facilities.

Hawaii's small-boat harbors have been criticized for years by boaters and the state auditor for their lack of upkeep and decrepit condition. Of 2,123 state-owned boat slips, 12 percent are unusable.

Boaters agreed some increase was warranted, but criticized officials for not outlining how the money would be spent.

The state noted in its report to the board that Hawaii's harbor fee rates are about 50 percent below the average West Coast rate.