DLNR Files to charge for harbor parking
Confusion about applicability of Small Boat Ramp, Kahului Harbor
'Oahu Residents Protest Harbor Parking Fees
To: Ed Underwood, DOBOR Administrator
Re: The upcoming meeting on Dec. 28 in Lahaina
From: Darrell Tanaka
(See DOBOR website for more info)
1) DLNR does not have harbors in Kahului or Hana, however, DLNR does have ramps in those harbors. One reason many are concerned about having to pay for parking is the confusion of harbor ownership, Kahului harbor is a DOT harbor, therefore the question arises, if DLNR or DOT wanted to start charging for parking in Kahului harbor, for instance, around the vacinity of the small boat ramp (owned by DLNR), would public notice and meetings then be required by law at that time? Or would this rule change be applicable, therefore, no future meetings regarding that harbor, thus the public in central Maui would not have a say? As was stated, "DLNR would not make any changes without concurrence from DOT", therefore, is concurrence all that is needed to start charging for parking in Kahului?
Reply: DOBOR will not amend or implement any rules without first holding public meetings and getting approval from the Land Board. The public can attend the scheduled public hearings or submit written testimony.
2) And what about Maalaea and Kihei Harbors, they are DLNR owned, so again, why is there no meeting in central Maui? And if DLNR does not intend to charge for parking at these two harbors, why include them in the change in rule? The rule should be written to include ONLY the harbors being affected as each harbor across the state has different users and different needs and it is DOBORs responsibility to tailor the rules to address individual needs of each facility.
Reply: Again, if the public does not want to drive to the public hearings they are encouraged to submit written testimony.
3) Furthermore, this rule change is very broad and although it affects a harbor in one particular area, many boaters and ocean users use harbors not in their district. Therefore it should be DOBORs ethical responsibility to compliment the needs and concerns of the people by having atleast a second meeting in central Maui, if not the least, to answer questions regarding Kahului and Maalaea Harbors as many will be concerned about that.
Reply: Should anyone from the public have questions, they can contact any of our offices and we will address their concerns. The purpose of the public hearings is to hear testimony and is not for questions and answers. We encourage anyone from the public to contact us so we can answer their questions so they can be prepared to submit testimony.
4) Also, it is my understanding that DOBOR intends to install parking meters at affected harbors, parking meters get stolen, not to mention are subject to adverse weather conditions such as in Maalaea harbor. Proper planning dictates that DOBOR have conducted a study to determine projected income, what is your projected income?
Reply: We are not installing meters and are proposing to hire a parking vendor to manage the parking. The Ala Wai harbor is the first harbor we are planning to implement a parking management plan and the projected gross income is approximately one million dollars. Should we propose to implement a parking management plan at any other harbor facility, we will first hold public meetings and then present to the Land Board for final approval.
5) And why is the notice regarding this rule not posted on the DLNR home page??? The problem with State notices is that they often go unnoticed because effort is only made to fulfill the minimum requirement by law. In this day and age, each department within DLNR should have an e-mail list to alert affected users of public notices....or atleast make sure it's posted on the DLNR home page where many other public notices are placed.
Reply: The public notice for the hearings has been posted on the DLNR home page under the title "Public Notices". We feel we have gone above and beyond what is required by statute and will always work to keep the public informed in a timely manner.
6) Finally and most importantly, this rule change is not only about paid parking, but it proposes to shorten the length of parking time for EVERYONE from 72 hours to 24 hours in harbors statewide. Can you please explain to everyone how will fishermen conduct overnight or longer fishing trips? This particular change as written, affects anyone, don't you think this is a huge detriment to fishermen? and making them get permits will only add to the animosity they already have toward DLNR.
Reply: Permittees in the harbor will still be able to get a parking permit as usual and the permittee can still apply for passes for their crew and passengers. The rule amendment should have no effect on fishermen.
Webmaster note: Our dealings with local DLNR officers have been very good...better than any other of Lingle's administrations, but the head honchos in 'Oahu are a very different breed - less than responsive to citizens just as the rest of Lingle's administration is.
Follow up
Ed, again, thank you for the response, however, a clarification with precision is required. To my first item (#1), your answer needs clarification, could this proposed rule ever affect Kahului Harbor? Yes or No.?
#2, there are more harbors in central Maui, holding the meeting only in Lahaina was a poor decision.
#3, I realize this public hearing is for taking testimony only, however, being that no public informational meeting regarding this rule change was ever held on Maui, undoubtedly, harbor users are now left with many questions. Yet, according to the DLNR website home page, under "news releases", there were 3 informational meetings on Oahu, whose news releases were on Jan.12, Mar.22 & June 1, where the public had ample opportunity to ask questions....as you stated that the meeting on Maui is being held at the closest affected harbor, that implies that Lahaina harbor will be affected, therefore a public informational meeting should have been held on Maui to answer questions so the public could then provide accurate testimony at the public hearing. Having the public call their local offices is not sufficient and unfair to neighbor islands. Only Oahu benefited from the informational hearings, yet this rule is proposed for harbors statewide.
#4...as you stated "Should we propose to implement a parking management plan at any other harbor facility, we will first hold public meetings and then present to the Land Board for final approval." If this is true, then the proposed rule should have been crafted to only address Ala Wai Harbor.
#5, The notice is NOT posted on the DLNR home page, it is only posted on the DOBOR website under "public notices"....if it were listed on the DLNR home page like it should be, it would be posted under "News Releases".
Ed, please respond to only the first question marked in red, I do not wish to carry this on, should those concerned want to know more they now know how to contact you. But know that your answers to my questions are unsatisfactory as they avoid precision....with the exception of your last answer, that the fishermen will not be affected, atleast that part is clear. Ed, please know that the reason there are so many questions and concerns is that no informational meeting was held on Maui, to the best of our knowledge that is, and if there was one, it certainly was not posted on the DLNR website under "News Releases". And know that as far as the neighbor islands are concerned, you did not go "above and beyond" in informing the public, if you did, you wouldn't have heard all this from me.
Thank you,
Darrell Tanaka