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At a glance: Maui County projects included in the

proposed "Recreational Renaissance" plan Park, trail improvements:

Waianapanapa State Park, $7.6 million

for park and rental cabin improvements and a new restroom for a new camp area.

Wahikuli vehicle trail, $3 million for an off-highway vehicle riding area on 665 acres.

Makena State Park, $2.75 million for master planned improvements.

Hoolehua wetlands on Molokai, $2.2 million for a survey and restoration of an open pond on 75 acres.

Palaau State Park, $1.5 million for a pavilion and camping and water system improvements.

Polipoli Springs State Recreation Area, $1.16 million for park, water system and roadway

improvements.

Iao Valley State Monument, $1.12 million for bridge and park improvements.

Puaa Kaa State Wayside Park, $880,000 for replacing a deteriorated water system.

Halekii-Pihana Heiau State Monument, $380,000 for parking area improvements.

WAILUKU -- Maui County would get 39 state parks capital improvement projects worth nearly $41 million under a "Recreational Renaissance" initiative backed by Gov. Linda Lingle and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

According to details released by the governor last week, the breakdown would be 32 projects for Maui island estimated to cost $35.7 million, six for Molokai carrying a $4.5 million price tag, and one for Lanai valued at $770,000.

"More than any other state, Hawaii residents depend upon our ocean and land for recreational opportunities, sustenance, and cultural and spiritual practices," Lingle said. "To ensure the long-term viability of these precious resources, we are renewing our commitment to preserve and protect these special assets and to educate residents and visitors about their importance."

Statewide, the plan calls for spending $240 million on 238 capital improvements over five years, with debt paid by rents from state commercial and industrial lands. There also would be dedicated revenues from fees from park users, leases and concessions in parks and small-boat harbors to pay for facility maintenance, restoration work, interpretive and educational programs, and increased security at recreational areas.

According to state officials, the first year of the plan includes $31.3 million worth of projects ready to go out to bid for construction. In its second year, $20.6 million in projects would go out to bid.

The projects would be funded by $200 million in general obligation reimbursable bonds (to be repaid by new revenue laid out in the plan) and $40 million in general obligation bonds. This session, state lawmakers would need to approve a special fund to handle revenue generated by new rents and fees targeted for park and harbor improvements.

Laura Thielen, DLNR board chairwoman, has said proposed park entry fees would be charged to visitors, not Hawaii residents, a plan modeled on the fee system already in place at Diamond Head Monument State Park.

On Maui, the state is considering entry fees for Iao and Makena state parks. The fees would not be imposed without consultations with affected communities and not until park facilities have been upgraded, Thielen said.

DLNR officials would need to adopt national standards for maintenance schedules to upgrade park trails and small-boat harbors. The Department of Land and Natural Resources would be reorganized to "maximize efficiency and professionalism in maintaining recreational facilities and spaces." The plan also calls for developing new land and ocean recreational opportunities through public-private partnerships to support long-term demand for additional recreational opportunities and relieve pressure on already crowded state park areas.

Most of the planned improvements would be on Oahu, where 73 projects are envisioned costing an estimated $72.6 million. The plan would spend $63.3 million on Kauai with 46 projects and $58.3 million on the Big Island with 60 projects.

"By utilizing multiple sources of revenue and a small amount of general obligation bond funding, we are employing a coordinated, creative approach to upgrade and expand our recreational facilities that takes into account both the current fiscal condition of the state and the growing needs of our population," Thielen said.

"Although the challenges are real, continuing to do 'business as usual' will mean Hawaii's parks, beaches, trails, campgrounds, cabins, small-boat harbors and ramps will fall further into disrepair," she said. "Our environmental and cultural resources will be further degraded. We will have increasingly unsafe recreational spaces for residents and visitors alike, and we will lose educational opportunities to promote kuleana and stewardship," Thielen said.

For more information on the Recreational Renaissance plan, go to the Web site at http://hawaii.

gov/dlnr/recreate.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources operates and maintains 54 state parks, 20 small-boat harbors, 25 boat ramps or landings, 275 miles of hiking trails, 19 natural area reserves, 55 forest reserves and hundreds of miles of state beaches.

Brian Perry can be reached at citydesk@mauinews.com.