Kaʻū News Briefs, Sunday, December 9, 2018

VETERANS CAN NO LONGER ENTER HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK free of charge on their way to KīlaueaMilitary Camp. Hawaiʻi Tribune Herald ran a story on the subject today after Tim Wright, a Navy and Hawaiʻi Air National Guard veteran, told writer Tom Callis that he became aware of the change Dec. 1, when he tried to enter the park to fill up gas at KMC on his way back to Hilo from Kaʻū, showing his retired military ID card.

Holy Rosary singers sang carols and later hosted participants for lunch at the church.

     Neal Herbert, treasurer of Big Island Retired Military Association, told Callis he was informed of the policy change when planning a Christmas party for Dec. 1 at KMC. "Prior to this year, people like us retired military could get fee waivers," Herbert told the Tribune Herald. "A lot of us have senior (Park) passes. Some of us don't." Herbert said he "wasn't aware of people declining to attend if they had to pay the park entry fee."
     "I don't mind paying to go to the park," Wright told the Tribune Herald. "I don't think we should pay to go (through the park) to KMC."
     Weekly, annual and lifetime passes

Nā Mamo O Kāwā volunteers who help restore native plants and wetlands at Kāwā, come from the classroom and families of  Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences.

are available for HVNP. Passes good for a week cost $25 for a single non-commercial vehicle, with up to 15 people; $20 for a motorcycle; and $12 for a bicycle or pedestrian.
     Annual Senior passes, for those at lease 62 years of age, are $20. Lifetime Senior passes admit the Senior and up to three others 16 and older for a onetime cost of $80; those under age 16 enter free.
     Those with permanent disabilities can apply for a free park pass.
     Tri-Park passes that cover entrance to HVNP, Puʻuhonua O Hōnaunau, and Haleakalā National Park, and are $50 for a year. America the Beautiful passes, for entrance to all National Parks, are $80 per year. Seniors can buy a lifetime pass to all National Parks for a one-time fee of $80.

Pāhala Preschool rides and walks during the Pāhala Christmas Parade today.

     Non-commercial groups entering the park in a bus or vehicle with a capacity of 16 persons or more are charged $12 for each person on board; anyone 15 or younger is exempt from paying an entrance fee.
     The requirement for vets to purchase a park pass was made effective in January of this year.

In the past, veterans could enter for free if they were going to KMC, if they showed a military identification card. Active-duty personnel can enter the park with a free Military Pass, but those passes don't apply to retired service members.

     Park spokeswoman Jessica Ferracane told Hawaiʻi Tribune, "Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park values and respects the sacrifices and service our military retirees and veterans have made for our country, and we have many veterans on our staff, and who volunteer with us. We regret that we will not be able to provide fee waivers, and we apologize for the inconvenience this may cause some KMC patrons."

Volcano School plays Christmas songs on ʻUkulele.

     Ferracane, reported the Tribune Herald, said fewer than 20 retired military personnel and veterans used a military ID to gain entry to KMC per week before the change was made. KMC has the only bowling alley in East Hawaiʻi, as well as a slightly less expensive gas station, and other amenities that veterans can use.

     Ferracane told the Tribune Herald school groups receive educational waivers when participating in a state Department of Education activity, such as staying at KMC or using the bowling alley.
     "Otherwise, a bowling team is subject to entrance fees like everyone else, and again, most regular park/KMC users already have one of the passes."

     Ferracane told the Tribune Herald the

Keiki meet the characters along the trail of Pāhala Chirstmas Parade.

special use permit - which allows KMC to use the park property for its cottages, dorms, lounge, restaurant, bowling alley, store, gas station, and other facilities - ends in 2021, and that the National Park Service and U.S. Army are "working collaboratively to address a new use agreement. NPS is also developing a site plan for future use and enjoyment of the area that will include the U.S. Army."
     All patrons can enter the Park fee on the five fee-free days in 2019 - see Dec. 7 Kaʻū Calendar News.

     Read the whole story in the Hawaiʻi Tribune Herald.