HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2754
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to kaena point.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Kaena point state park and Kaena point natural area reserve are a spectacular protected coastal area with rich cultural, natural, historic, and recreational resources, including rare and endangered species.  Every year, a significant number of visitors and residents use and enjoy the areas for hiking, fishing, camping, family outings, beachgoing, recreation, scientific study, and educational excursions.

     The legislature further finds that due to the very remote location of Kaena point state park and Kaena point natural area reserve, the department of land and natural resources is unable to provide adequate staffing to ensure the safety of users and to ensure that users of the park and reserve respect and protect the precious natural resources of the area.  Although most users are appreciative and respectful, the recreational resources of these areas are highly vulnerable to abuse, uninformed visitors, and significant impacts from overuse.  The legislature also finds that the visible presence of enforcement officers and on-site educational staff, such as an ambassador or steward, to patrol and educate visitors would protect the safety of the users and the integrity of the resources.

     The purpose of this Act is to permanently increase and strengthen the presence of enforcement officers and on-site educational staff as well as remote monitoring for Kaena point state park and Kaena point natural area reserve.

     SECTION 2.  The department of land and natural resources is authorized to establish a system of graduated user fees for persons visiting Kaena point state park and Kaena point natural area reserve.  Visitor fees shall be used for the long-term costs of additional enforcement officers and on-site education staff.  Fees shall not be imposed on persons who are exercising their constitutionally protected traditional and customary gathering and access rights.

     The department of land and natural resources is authorized to establish a system that requires all persons using Kaena point state park and Kaena point natural area reserve to log in with proper identification and receive educational information about the protected resources of the area before entering the park or reserve.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for additional enforcement officers and on-site educational staff for Kaena point state park and Kaena point natural area reserve to provide full-time, around the clock coverage by an officer or educational ambassador, and to support a system of remote monitoring to document usage in areas that prevent human coverage; provided that the sum appropriated shall be in addition to the base budget of the department of land and natural resources.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2016.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Kaena Point State Park; Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to the department of land and natural resources for additional enforcement officers and on-site educational staff for Kaena point state park and Kaena point natural area reserve to provide full-time coverage and monitoring.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.