The state Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation got the green light Friday to move forward with public hearings on proposed fee hikes at small boat harbors that, if approved, will affect more than 10,000 boaters.

The Board of Land and Natural Resources approved DOBOR’s request to hold the hearings on increased fees for mooring, utility, facility, storage, ramp and commercial permits. Fee hikes also are proposed for offshore moorings.

With the proposed hikes, the state could rake in roughly double the $2.43 million in annual revenue it currently receives from users of Hawaii’s six main small boat harbors: Ala Wai on Oahu, Kaunakakai on Molokai, Maalaea on Maui, Nawiliwili on Kauai and Honokohau and Wailoa on Hawaii island.

The proposed amendments to the Hawaii Administrative Rules would “improve revenue-generating potential of boating and ocean recreation-related activities within small boat harbors and nearshore waters,” DLNR said in a news release.

“It’s been nearly 25 years since DOBOR last increased fee amounts for utilities and facilities at state small boat harbors and nearly seven years for mooring fees,” DLNR said.

The fee increases would help pay for 130 deferred maintenance and capital improvement projects at small boat harbors statewide totaling nearly $275 million in design, permitting and construction costs.

The list includes 49 Oahu projects, 30 on Hawaii island, 33 on Kauai, 17 on Maui and one on Lanai. They include repairs to docks and launch ramps, replacing piers, dredging harbors and entrance channels, and reconstruction of a break­water structure.

The biggest single-ticket item is a new $18.3 million concrete ferry pier with trellis shade structure planned for Lahaina Small Boat Harbor.

Thirteen projects are planned for the Ala Wai Boat Harbor at a cost of $40.3 million. They include replacing finger piers, utilities and a concrete dock.

The public hearing dates have not been set and must be approved by the governor.

DLNR said it sent notices to the 10,000-plus affected boat owners for comments and feedback on the proposals.

The proposed rules can be viewed at DOBOR’s district offices at the Honokohau, Nawiliwili and Keehi small boat harbors and at dlnr.hawaii.gov/dobor/draft-rules.