The first of several fee increases at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park kicks in June 1.
The first of several fee increases at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park kicks in June 1.
While entrance fees will increase annually in $5 increments from its current price of $10 per vehicle to $25 in 2017, the annual Tri-Park Pass will remain at $25 until 2017, when it will jump to $30. The vehicle pass is valid for seven days.
“The increases over the next few years will enable us to continue to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors, while upgrading some basic services like our campgrounds,” Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando said. “We reached out to our community for their feedback on the new fees, and many comments were supportive of the increase as long as the Tri-Park Pass continued to be offered.”
The per-person entrance fee (the rate bicyclists and pedestrians pay) will increase from the current rate of $5 to $8 on June 1, $10 in 2016, and to $12 in 2017. The motorcycle fee will go up from $5 to $10 on June 1, $15 in 2016, and to $20 in 2017. New fees are also slated for all backcountry and front-country campsites, including Kulanaokuaiki Campground, and will be $10 per site, per night. In addition, entrance fees will increase for commercial tour companies.
The park says the increases over the next three years will fund deferred maintenance and improvement projects within the park, as well as to meet national standards for parks with similar visitor amenities. Entrance fees for recreational use at Volcanoes have not gone up since 1997.