Kokee pay plans
in flux

Cabins in the state park
could be rented by the week
instead of long-term leases

The state is moving forward with plans for Kokee and Waimea Canyon state parks that include renting some cabins by the week, instead of under long-term leases.

However, the state Board of Land and Natural Resources modified its draft master plan for the two parks, based on public testimony received Thursday and Friday in meetings on Kauai, Board Chairman Peter Young said.

In more than 3 1/2 hours of testimony, most people were concerned about the state's plans for 105 recreational cabins in Kokee and about the proposal for an entrance fee for the parks, Young said.

Current long-term lease occupants of the cabins want the state to renegotiate with them, rather than putting the leases out for public auction as the state plans to do when leases expire at the end of 2006 and ownership of the cabins reverts to the state.

Most people testified against a gated entrance to the park and questioned why they should pay a park fee when they already pay state taxes, Young said.

Young said he suggested that a fee -- the cost of which hasn't been determined -- might be done similarly to the city's Hanauma Bay. Hawaii residents who show their driver's license don't have to pay that park entrance fee.

The board postponed seeking proposals from commercial operators to manage Kokee cabin and lodge rentals until after a final master plan and environmental impact statement are completed, Young said, which is expected late this year.

Young said public hearings on the final master plan will be held at several locations on Kauai.