LIHUE — If the Kauai community hadn’t stood up, Erik Coopersmith and others are certain that the final master plan for Kokee and Waimea Canyon state parks would be a different beast. Instead of focusing on resource conservation and management,
LIHUE — If the Kauai community hadn’t stood up, Erik Coopersmith and others are certain that the final master plan for Kokee and Waimea Canyon state parks would be a different beast.
Instead of focusing on resource conservation and management, it would have likely remained almost entirely about revenue generation.
“Unless there was someone saying ‘no,’ these plans would have happened,” Coopersmith said, referring to original proposals by the state which included a 40- to 60-room hotel and restaurant in Kanaloahululu meadow and a souvenir store at Waimea Canyon Lookout.
Today, the Kokee State Park Advisory Council — a group that legislators, including Kauai Rep. Dee Morikawa, considered dissolving through a legislative bill earlier this session — will meet one last time about the issue.
“The Council will be discussing the Final Draft Master Plan, with the hope and intention of making any ‘13th hour suggestions,’ approving it and sending it to the BLNR (Board of Land and Natural Resources) with our blessing,” said Coopersmith, a five-year KSPAC member.
The meeting is from 9 to 11:30 a.m. in the Planning Commission Meeting Room of the Lihue Civic Center, Moikeha Building.
It is the last chance for the public to make any comments, Coopersmith said.
“We will put those on the record as part of what the advisory committee is presenting to the board,” he said.
After 10 years, the council appears to be at the finish line.
“It’s time to get a master plan approved,” Coopersmith said.
While it hardly resembles the original, the plan still contains controversial proposals, including an entry station to collect non-resident user fees. The council hasn’t budged in its opposition to the entry station.
“It’s not perfect,” former KSPAC member Nancy Budd said of the plan. “But it’s certainly better than what we had to begin with.”
Coopersmith recognized the state, specifically State Parks Senior Planner Lauren Tanaka, for working with the KSPAC throughout the process.
“She should be commended on her hard work and willingness to work constructively with the Council toward a plan the community can feel good about with regards to protecting their beloved upland park,” he said.
Tanaka said she has been committed to working with the council and community over the last 10-plus years to find a plan everyone can live with. When asked if she thought the current version was a win-win for everyone, Tanaka said it was.
“If the council approves the plan as it is then we’ll be going to the board to accept the changes,” she said.
Today’s meeting will also include a discussion about the nomination of a new Kauai representative to the BLNR, which has been vacant since Ron Agor’s term expired last year.
The Lihue Civic Center is at 4444 Rice Street in Lihue.
• Chris D’Angelo, environmental reporter, can be reached at 245-0441 or cdangelo@thegardenisland.com.
