Question: Can it keep up with public demand? The state Department of Land and Natural Resources wants to turn the 6,200-acre Koke’e and Waimea Canyon state park complex into a recreational facility of the 21st century. DLNR has scheduled a
Question: Can it keep up with public demand?
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources wants to turn the 6,200-acre Koke’e and Waimea Canyon state park complex into a recreational facility of the 21st century.
DLNR has scheduled a meeting for 10 a.m. this Saturday at Waimea Theater to solicit public comments on a proposed master plan for the park, among the largest in the state.
The plan addresses preservation of natural, cultural and recreational resources, users and uses, maintenance of trails and infrastructure needs.
The plan seeks optimum management of the park and could influence the amount of state funding the park complex receives in the future, said DLNR planner Sherrie Samuels.
“Koke’e is unique. Koke’e offers a mountain experience with extraordinary views,” Samuels said. “It is a flagship park.”
DLNR officials decided to do the study partly out of concern over whether aging facilities at the park can meet the demands of various park users, according to Daniel Quinn, a state parks administrator.
A popular attraction, the Koke’e State Park, which has cabin rentals and hiking trails, and the Waimea Canyon Park, which consists of open space used for hunting, draws thousands of visitors and residents each year.
The plan includes a review of leases for 118 cabins in the park. DLNR auctioned the leases in 1985, and officials at that time said that they wouldn’t be renewed after 2005. Plans also called for the removal of homes.
Samuels said she’s not aware of any such lease agreements and that DLNR “will most likely look at all options, including renegotiating the leases. We need to look at everything that is possible” for producing revenue.
“The leases represent income to the state parks. Lately we have had to rely more and more on our income, and we need to look at how that balances out at the end,” Samuels said.
The state also makes money through a state-approved vendor that rents out 12 cabins in the park.
The proposed master plan is expected to address the condition and maintenance of trails in Koke’e. Because of lack of staff and funds, the Kaua’i state parks division hasn’t properly managed the trails.
DLNR officials hope that Saturday’s meeting will provide a preliminary idea of what Kauaians want from the plan.
“We hope the community will take this opportunity to work hand in hand with the department to develop the comprehensive master plan for these two exceptional state parks,” said Gilbert Coloma-Agaran, chairman of the state Land Board.
The Legislature appropriated $500,000 to prepare the park plan. DLNR began the groundwork for the plan five years ago.
A consultant will be hired to work with the department and the community to develop the plan. After Saturday, four other meetings will be held to solicit additional comments.
A preliminary plan is tentatively scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2003, Samuels said. By summer, a plan with community input should be before the Land Board for review, she said.
An environmental impact assessment will begin afterward, followed by the completion of a final plan. The plan will go back to the Land Board if there are major changes to it, Samuels said.
Staff writer Lester Chang can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) and mailto:mailto:lchang@pulitzer.net
