LIHU‘E — The state Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of State Parks on Friday announced that 17 vacant recreational residence leases in Koke‘e and Waimea State Parks on Kaua‘i’s Westside are scheduled for public auction. “This auction is
LIHU‘E — The state Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of State Parks on Friday announced that 17 vacant recreational residence leases in Koke‘e and Waimea State Parks on Kaua‘i’s Westside are scheduled for public auction.
“This auction is a great opportunity for residents to bid on rustic recreational cabins and lots, in one of Hawai‘i’s most beautiful State Parks, that have not been available to the general public in decades,” DLNR Chairperson William Aila said in a press release.
The revenues from the leases will be used toward improvements on public lands by restoring recreational areas in state parks, according to Aila.
The announcement came a few days after a letter sent to DLNR and signed by almost 50 longtime Kaua‘i residents, the majority of them born and raised on this island, asked Aila to halt the auction, conduct an audit of records and investigate alleged lease violations.
“To proceed with the state auction without properly consulting with regional Native Hawaiian organizations and local community on the process and procedures would be unadvisable,” the letter states.
The letter also lashed at the Koke‘e Advisory Council, stating that its progress in addressing problems with cabin leases and the auction has left many residents in dismay.
Earlier this year Aila had a “talk story” session at Duke’s at Kalapaki Bay in Nawiliwili. At least one member of the council asked Aila for help, saying that those cabins were not being maintained and some were beyond repair.
The letter claims that “blatant violations and unfair practices” are rampant in Koke‘e, and the council has not been effective in community collaboration.
Members of the Koke‘e Advisory Council could not be located for comment by press time.
The letter also states that the community has not been served appropriately and their concerns have not been heard, and an auction would only complicate matters.
Those 17 “recreational-residence leases” will be sold by means of a three-tiered public auction, as is required under Act 223 SLH 2008, according to the DLNR press release. The recreational lease will be awarded to the highest bidder with a minimum upset price determined by appraisal.
“Per the law, the first round of the auction will be offered to residents of a county in the state with a population of less than 100,000 (which includes Kaua‘i County), the second round is then to be offered to statewide residents, and if there are any leases still available after this second round, a third round will be opened to non-residents,” the release states.
The minimum bids start as low as $2,500 per year and the lots are only for part-time, recreation use.
Deadline for applications is 4 p.m., Nov. 7, and the first round of the auction will be held Dec. 8.
Visit www.hawaiistateparks.org for more information.
• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or lazambuja@ thegardenisland.com.
