As red-footed boobies circled overhead with the great frigatebirds yesterday afternoon, a couple Hawaiian geese meandered across the North Shore road that winds up to Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. Restored native coastal plants line the path to the historic
As red-footed boobies circled overhead with the great frigatebirds yesterday afternoon, a couple Hawaiian geese meandered across the North Shore road that winds up to Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge.
Restored native coastal plants line the path to the historic Kilauea Lighthouse, where visitors snapped photos of the rugged coastline, peered through binoculars and asked volunteers questions about the endangered seabirds and marine mammals found there.
But due to escalating costs of providing services at the refuge, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently proposed increased visitor entrance fees to keep the popular attraction open seven days per week and maintain its high quality.
Entry now costs $3 per person for ages 16 and older. The proposed increased fee is $5 per visitor. Annual passes would also be raised from the current $12 to $20.
The federal agency is seeking public review and comment on the proposal, Supervisory Park Ranger Bob Dieli said.
“It would still be about the cheapest thing you can do on the island,” he said with a laugh. “You can’t even get a mai tai for $5.”
An estimated 230,000 people will visit Kilauea Point this year. Last year, a hair more than half a million dollars was collected in fees, Dieli said, which has been used to renovate restroom facilities, provide railing and buy new binoculars for visitors to use.
The long-time land manager said future plans at Kilauea Point include restoring the lighthouse, continuing to beat back
exotic plants, study a shuttle system as alternative transportation to the refuge and start comprehensive conservation planning.
The refuge has charged entrance fees since the mid-1980s and has not increased entrance fees since November 2000.
“We know it is unpopular to increase fees, but the funding would allow us to maintain existing operations and resume the Crater Hill hikes,” said Mike Hawkes, manager of the Kaua‘i National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
“Our visitor program is a vital part of our mission and we want the public to learn about and enjoy the wildlife and historic features.”
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages the Kaua‘i National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which includes Kilauea Point, Hanalei and Hule‘ia national wildlife refuges.
A strong core of about 60 volunteers has enabled the refuge to provide a better experience to visitors, Dieli said.
“But we’re always looking for fresh blood,” he added.
After dreaming about it for 20 years, volunteer Nicki Lorayn made the move to Kaua‘i seven years ago to “give back” to the island.
She said she doesn’t mind answering many of the same questions every day — such as “Where are the whales?” and “Why are those birds attacking each other?”
“I just feel so lucky to live here and work with a superb refuge manager,” she said.
Peter Dease, who was born and raised on the South Shore, said he has volunteered at Kilauea Point for the past five years and has seen a recent fundraising effort take hold.
Visitors can now buy red bricks inscribed with their names, personal messages and animal icons to be used to pave an area in front of the lighthouse.
For more information on the fundraiser, visit www.kilauealighthouse.org.
Want to comment?
Written comments can be addressed to the Refuge Manager, Kaua‘i National Wildlife Refuge Complex, P.O. Box 1128, Kilauea, HI 96754. Comments may also be made in person to Mike Hawkes or Bob Dieli from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, or by telephone at 828-1413. E-mail comments may be submitted to Bob_Dieli@fws.gov. All comments must be received by Sept. 15.
• Nathan Eagle, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or neagle@kauaipubco.com.
