Most boaters would leave the state or sell their boats before paying such high fees relative to the services provided. Hawaii has a worldwide negative reputation regarding its policies toward recreational boaters. A boater would have to decide whether to sell his boat or move it to the mainland. If he sold his boat the boat would have to leave the state as slip permits here stay with the owner and not with the boat. Most marinas on the mainland have better facilities than the Ala Wai Marina and some offer lower slip fees.
Choices abound for the mainland boater.
San Diego has over 5,000 vacant slips with none of the major obstacles Hawaii faces. State overhead is another major obstacle to a viable recreational boating program. The Ala Wai Marina could stand and grow on its own if it was relieved of the overhead burden placed on it by the state. Those who think the Ala Wai is the cash cow that supports recreational boating in the state are being mislead. Slip Fees only cover Oahu overhead.