The Department of Land and Natural Resources announced that it would indefinitely be Polyhale State Park in Kauai, creating poor habits through residents, with abuse, illegal gatherings and camps.
The DLNR also says it is “lost cash”, suffers from a lack of the pandemic and cannot cope with illegal activities in many state parks.
Recently, more than 1,000 people camped in Polihale, on the west side of Kauai, with only 80 legal permits, and several hundred trucks parked on the 3 km long beach, dlNR said in a press release issued Tuesday.
State park manager Curt Cottrell said the resolution was based on contributions from staff, law enforcement, fitness officials and citizens of western Kauai.
The DLNR states that the giant length and remote location of Polihale hinder regulations and that “COVID-19 has exacerbated all these problems, and the problems of fitness and public protection contributed to the resolution of closing the park.”
It also cites truck racing on the beach, crossing dunes containing Hawaiian burial sites and critically endangered plants; over-use with defecation in the fragile dune system; and the lack of social distance.
The DLNR attributes vandalism, theft, graffiti and misbehavior to residents.
He insists it’s “little money.”
Its State Parks Division has been affected in parks, including:
Vandalism and robbery at Akaka Falls State Park. Its pumping station was damaged, photovoltaic panels, a box and batteries were stolen, resulting in $37,700 in replacement and repairing costs.
Illegal weekend habit at Ka’ena Point State Park with drinking, littering, beach bonfires, burning rubber tires and a large number of illegal campers.
Almost all health services at Aiea Bay State Park in O’ahu were destroyed by vandans, with an estimated replacement and a fixed bill of $25,000.
And illegal beach access and illegal camping in west side Hawaii island parks. They are Hawaiian monk seals from Kiholo State Park Reserve and Kekaha Kai State Park.
“People want to perceive that with the loss of profits from the guest industry, we will face very difficult decisions about our funding,” Cottrell warns. “This will probably mean not only relief on the premises, such as the maintenance of the regime, but in the end it can lead to the closure of some parks.”
The State Parks Division is based on legislature allocations, entry earnings, parking, camping, housing and concession fees, basically from visitors, and a small portion of the state’s transitional housing tax (TAT) for financing.
“Tat’s collections and distributions have been suspended due to COVID-19 and the upcoming state crisis,” DLNR said.
Anyone who sees suspicious or illegal activity in a state park should call 643-DLNR (3567) or download the dlNRTip app loose, which reports in real time and sends photos.
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