More from Baltimore citywire
More in Politics
Related Blogs
Archives
Social Share
Diamond Head State Monument will enforce advance reservations 'based on optimal capacity management'
Posted By Baltimore citywire
Body
In a press release from Gov. David Ige (D-HI), Lē‘ahi, Diamond Head State Monument in Honolulu, will join Hā'ena State Park on Kauai and Wai'ānapanapa State Park on Maui in requiring all out-of-state visitors to make advance reservations before visiting any of the three parks. Hawaii residents are permitted to continue engaging in free access without reservations, but parking availability will be a limiting factor for entry.
“We envision being able to modify this system for additional parks," Division of State Parks Administrator Curt Cottrell said, according to the state's website. "The key element to crafting a reservation system, based on optimal capacity management and improving the quality of experience, is to work closely with our parking vendors at park units where fee collection is already happening. These valued partners have accurate numbers and use patterns of visitors at these park units on a daily and seasonal basis."
All three parks have implemented reservations as part of a plan to improve the quality of visitor experiences and reduce the impact on communities where the parks are located. Currently, Diamond Head rates as one of the most visited attractions in Hawaii, with more than 6,000 visitors during the park's 2019 winter holiday period.
The new system will activate on Thursday, April 28, and will allow for reservations beginning 14 days into the future until Thursday, May 12, when all out-of-state visitors must reserve access in advance. All visitors who plan to park vehicles in the crater will be required to book in two-hour time slots beginning at 6 a.m. -- though two consecutive slots can be booked -- while walk-in and drop-off visitors will only be permitted to enter in one-hour-entry time slots.
Comments