Fee increases and rule changes are being proposed for many uses of state small boat harbors and facilities.
The Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation is seeking approval from the state Land Board this Friday in Honolulu to initiate the rule-making process and hold public hearings on its proposal. A staff submittal says notices were sent to affected parties starting a year ago, and that fee increases are “long overdue.”
The fee and rule changes include:
• Increasing fees for use of state boat launching ramps for recreational or fishing purposes from $40 a year to $75 a year.
• Increasing monthly dry storage rates to $3 per foot of vessel or trailer length, whichever is greater. Fee is currently $1.15 per foot for paved areas, and $1 for unpaved areas. Vessels stored for less than 16 calendar days would be charged a reduced rate of 50 percent, with a minimum charge of $50. No charge for stays less than 7 days. A monthly fee of $1.50 per square foot would be charged for other equipment, with a reduced rate for shorter stays.
• Requiring a person seeking approval for dry storage to have, in addition to a valid use permit to moor in a state small boat harbor, a vessel registered with the department, have a properly registered and inspected trailer if the vessel is trailered, and have a properly insured vessel.
• Increasing empty boat trailer fee to $100 from the current rates of $15 and $20.
• Replaces Schedule A and B mooring rates with new categories: “Catwalk” and “Tahiti Moor.” At Wailoa small boat harbor, the rates would be a minimum $9 per foot for “Catwalk” and $5 per foot for Tahiti Moor categories.
• Offshore mooring and anchoring rates would be $5 per foot on a state buoy, anchor or cable, and $3 per foot on permittee’s own buoy or anchor.
The proposal can be viewed at: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/J-3.pdf.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
