The state proposes to cut the number of daily visitors at busy Haena State Park on Kauai by roughly half, and charge them separate fees to enter and park their vehicles to reduce impacts on natural resources, according to a draft environmental mpact statement posted Thursday.
The state Office of Environmental Quality Control listed the draft impact statement of the Haena State Park Master Plan proposed by the Division of State Parks. On Kauai’s North Shore, the park, considered one of the busiest, spans 65.7 acres and contains Kee Beach, the Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park and the trailhead of the popular Kalalau Trail. It also includes significant cultural spots such as Ka Ulu a Paoa Heiau and Ke Ahu a Laka hula site.
There is a 45-day period for the public to comment on the draft.
The draft statement is a revised version of a 2001 draft. The updated draft emphasizes the cultural and historical significance of Haena and presents solutions on natural hazards, traffic and parking congestion.
The draft proposes the creation of a management approach for Haena that is similar to Hanauma Bay on Oahu.
The draft recommends an educational and cultural center where visitors attend an educational session upon entering the park. The session would give information on the park’s sensitive natural and cultural resources. Park users also will be informed of ocean safety, rockfall hazards and weather conditions.
Public restrooms and an information desk will be included.
The state proposes to limit access to 900 visitors a day. The limit may be changed in the future. The limit includes day hikers on the Kalalau Trail but does not include overnight campers or hunters with permits, special user groups such as school groups, a hula halau and members of Hui Maka‘ainana o Makana who care for the loi or taro patch, as well as those attending special educational or cultural events.
“This will reduce the typical number of daily visitors by roughly half compared to current numbers and will encourage visitors to plan their visits to the park in advance,” according to the draft.
Currently there are no visitor limits at the park. During the summer up to 2,000 people visit each day. In the winter 1,000 to 2,000 people visit per day.
Many members on the community advisory committee and residents said they felt there are too many people at the park and that a limit is necessary to reduce impacts to the natural, cultural and scenic resources. Putting a cap on the number of daily visitors would also improve the overall experience.
Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kauai Visitors Bureau, who served on the committee, said, “We are and have been aware of the overuse of the area and the need to better monitor the area.”
Managing access to the park is necessary to preserve it for future generations, she said.
Carl Imparato, a member of the executive committee of the Kauai Group of the Sierra Club, who also served on the advisory panel, said, “There’s strong community support for limiting access.”
Parking has been a headache as more than 750 vehicles enter and exit the parking lot daily. Shuttle service is recommended to provide transportation service to the park and to help reduce traffic congestion on Kauai’s North Shore.
A portion of the proposed fees for parking and entry would go toward ongoing park maintenance and improvements. Fees for Hawaii residents would be waived.
Two state parks — Diamond Head State Monument and ‘Akaka Falls State Park — have entry fees. There are a few other state parks with fees for parking and higher fees for commercial vehicles.
At Hanauma Bay the parking fee is $1 and the entry fee is $7.50. Hawaii residents are exempted from the entry fee.
For more information on the draft statement, go to 1.usa.gov/1SFeyNY.
The document is also is available on the state Office of Environmental Quality Control’s website, health.hawaii.gov/oeqc.
The deadline for public comments on the draft EIS is Sept. 8. Comments can be sent to Lauren Tanaka of the Division of State Parks, 1151 Punchbowl St., Room 310, Honolulu, HI 96813; or via email to lauren.a.tanaka@hawaii.gov.
Comments also can be sent to Kimi Yuen, PBR Hawaii, 1001 Bishop St., Suite 650, Honolulu, HI 96813; or by email to kyuen@pbrhawaii.com.
