HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0453.011 2004-2006 Public Hearing to Facilitate Discussion of Hawaii County Taking Over
Management of State Boating Facilities on the Big Island Of Hawaii from
DLNR-BOR.
December 7, 2005-Waimea Middle School Cafeteria
Hawaii County Council:
Presently there are over 100 pages of regulations for operating small boat har-
bors and boating facilities in the State of Hawaii. San Diego County has 17
pages with far more slips than the State Of Hawaii has. If Hawaii County were
to take over the operation for our County, we could essentially reduce the over
bulky regulations down to a few pages. Currently, if Honokohau Harbor needs
operating supplies ie; Round-up for weeds, Soap for the bathrooms etc. we
have to requisition these from HonolululBOR. This is extremely inefficient and
time consuming not to mention the possibility of outright refusal because of lack
of funds that have been used elsewhere in the State not our harbor.
In the past, Honokohau and Ala Wai on Oahu have carried the entire financial
burden of the State. Recently, Maui's Lahaina is producing income to help carry
the other facilities. With the exception of the above mentioned Harbors nearly all
other facilities in the State do operate at a loss. It is obvious that if our island
could take over BOR's facilities we could keep our income in house. With
Honokohau, Kailua Pier/Cruise Ships I believe we could cover all expenses and
do the necessary maintenance and repair for this Island with ease. With local
management the operating efficiency shoukl be much improved. For instance,
we could eliminate DOCARE'S drain from us fee payers.
In 2002, 1 was selected from this County to be on an Ad Hoc Committee to work
on the. State's Boating Regulations. Representatives from all islands attended
these meetings in Honolulu for about 3 months. Still, the state has not approved
any new Boating Regulations. This is just another inefficient operation due to
the distance between our State facilities. !helped start the Honokohau Marina
Board and have been Past President. With our members being concerned
boaters we were on top of what needed to be done showing that local super-
vision is much more efficient.
1 firmly believe that we have before us an opportunity to bring our County's
Recreational Boating Facilities up to the Standard that it should be. I hope the
County Council would look favorably upon taking our facilities back from the
State.
Jim Tinsman
Honokohau Slip Holder
68-3720 Ehako Street
Waikoloa, Hi. 96738
jwtandast@verizon.net S3, j+
Comm. Na.
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