The state is accepting public comment until Sept. 8 on plans that would limit daily visitors to Kauai’s Haena State Park.

A draft environmental impact statement recommends reducing strain on natural resources by limiting daily entry to 900 visitors at the popular park. The limit would not apply to cultural practitioners and special user groups such as halau and loi work groups. Campers and hunters with permits would also be excluded from the count.

In 2007, Haena State Park was ranked as the third most heavily used park in the state system. Nuuanu Pali State Park on Oahu and Wailua River State Park on Kauai were ranked first and second, respectively.

During summer months Haena sees up to 2,000 daily visitors. The 65.7-acre park contains Kee Beach, Na Pali Coast Wilderness Park and the Kalalau Trail trailhead.

Charging separate fees for entry and parking is also proposed. According to the draft EIS, typically more than 750 vehicles enter and exit the parking lot daily.

The draft calls for construction of a welcome center near Kee Beach to manage park access and house educational materials for visitors about the resources in the area.

The EIS is a revised version of a 2001 draft, and was handled by a 32-member master plan advisory committee comprising cultural groups, community organizations and government agencies.

It is available on the Office of Environmental Quality Control’s website at health.hawaii.gov/oeqc.

Comments may be sent to Lauren Tanaka at the Division of State Parks, 1151 Punchbowl St., Room 310, Honolulu, HI 96813; or emailed to Lauren.A. Tanaka@hawaii.gov.

Comments also may be sent to Kim Yuen of PBR Hawaii, the EIS consultant firm, at 1001 Bishop St., Suite 650, Honolulu, HI 96813; or emailed to kyuen@pbrhawaii.com.