To: Ms. Suzanne Case, DLNR Chairperson, Mr. Ed Underwood, DLNR-Boating Division, The Hawaii State House, The Hawaii State Senate, and Governor David Ige
Boaters asking Governor to halt one aspect of the possible 130% slip fee increase
Limit the Hawaii State Boat Harbor Fee increase to the size of the boat. Do not charge the boater for the entire length of the dock, which can be up to 9 feet of 'airspace'.
Why is this important?
DNLR proposed a bill that significantly increases the slip fees in all the State of Hawaii Boat Harbors. The bill was approved by the Land Board and Governor Ige in August, to take effect November 1, 2019. One aspect of the bill is quite expensive and unfair to boaters. Until now, boaters have been charged by the length of their boat, but the new legislation allows the harbor to charge for the maximum length of the dock, which in some cases can be 9 feet of 'airspace.' We are asking the Governor to intervene and order the DNLR to charge the new fee according to the size of the boat. Then, in the upcoming year, DNLR can work on the legislation to abolish the size categories (within the harbor). Boaters who want to move to shorter slips are NOT currently allowed to do so because it would upset the waitlist, which is approximately 5 years. Charging by the 'length of the dock' puts an extra financial burden on the smallest boats.
The size 'Category' system used for the waitlist and placement of boats in the harbor should be abandoned. Each size 'Category' is 10 feet in length so the boats with lengths on the cusp of categories will be paying for 'airspace'. This aspect of the rate increase was not fully thought out by the boating division. DNLR-Boating administrators have suggested that people in this situation 'move to shorter dock', yet the Harbormaster says we must reapply and wait potentially 5 years for a smaller slip.
Please start the new fee using the established 'per foot of boat length' as each boat has already been measured. Do not use the length of the dock for pricing. We are asking Governor Ige to make the emergency provision regarding this matter during the 'grace period' between the signing of the law and before the new fees take effect, November 1, 2019.
For example, I have an O'Day 35 sailboat in a 'Category C' slip.
(The base rate does not include Dock Box, Bathroom Keys, Taxes, Electricity, or proof of Insurance.)
My current Base rate per month is $253.00
My New November 1 rate based on the length of my boat would be $468.00
My New November 1 rate based on the length of my dock could be $ 585.00
depending on how the dock is measured.
The current dock permittees have not been notified in writing what their exact individual dock measurements are. The harbor agents are still measuring the docks and can't give exact individual bill amounts yet. We do not know exactly what will be charged on November 1, 2019.
Staying with the per foot of BOAT length is a better way the start the new fee. Mahalo.
The size 'Category' system used for the waitlist and placement of boats in the harbor should be abandoned. Each size 'Category' is 10 feet in length so the boats with lengths on the cusp of categories will be paying for 'airspace'. This aspect of the rate increase was not fully thought out by the boating division. DNLR-Boating administrators have suggested that people in this situation 'move to shorter dock', yet the Harbormaster says we must reapply and wait potentially 5 years for a smaller slip.
Please start the new fee using the established 'per foot of boat length' as each boat has already been measured. Do not use the length of the dock for pricing. We are asking Governor Ige to make the emergency provision regarding this matter during the 'grace period' between the signing of the law and before the new fees take effect, November 1, 2019.
For example, I have an O'Day 35 sailboat in a 'Category C' slip.
(The base rate does not include Dock Box, Bathroom Keys, Taxes, Electricity, or proof of Insurance.)
My current Base rate per month is $253.00
My New November 1 rate based on the length of my boat would be $468.00
My New November 1 rate based on the length of my dock could be $ 585.00
depending on how the dock is measured.
The current dock permittees have not been notified in writing what their exact individual dock measurements are. The harbor agents are still measuring the docks and can't give exact individual bill amounts yet. We do not know exactly what will be charged on November 1, 2019.
Staying with the per foot of BOAT length is a better way the start the new fee. Mahalo.