MEDIA RELEASE: Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources

HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of State Parks in partnership with PBR HAWAII, invites the public to informational meetings about the 2014 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP).

Hawaii updates the SCORP every five years to remain eligible to receive funds for outdoor recreation projects through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a federal grants program administered by the National Park Service.

Public participation in the meetings will help State Parks and National Park Service select projects to receive Land and Water Conservation funding that best meets Hawaii’s recreational needs and helps resolve any recreational conflicts.

Meetings will be for two hours and will include a brief presentation near the beginning, but information will be available throughout the evening. The public can drop by for as much or as little time as they wish. Keiki are welcome, and there will be a special activity for them.

Hilo
Tuesday, Feb. 18
5 – 7 p.m.
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State Office Building
Conference Rooms A, B, C
75 Aupuni St.
Hilo, HI 96720

Kailua-Kona
Thursday, Feb. 27
5 – 7 p.m.
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Community Meeting Hale at the
West Hawaii Civic Center
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy.
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Maui
Monday, March 3
5 – 7 p.m.
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Planning Department Meeting Room
Room 106, 1st Floor, Kalana Pukui Building
250 South High St.
Wailuku, HI 96793

Anyone who is unable to attend any of the meetings is invited to take the SCORP survey, which is available online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HISCORP2014 and will be open through Feb. 28, 2014.

BACKGROUND
Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants provide a match for state and county funds to acquire new land for outdoor recreation and develop or renovate recreational facilities. Since 1967, the State of Hawaii and the four counties have received more than $38 million in LWCF grants for acquisition and development of outdoor recreation lands and facilities. In recent years, LWCF grants have been awarded to the County of Hawaii to install new playground equipment at Panaewa Zoo in Hilo, the City and County of Honolulu to replace the ball field lights at Ala Wai Community Park, the County of Maui to construct a new skate park within the Lahaina Recreation Center, and State Parks for renovation of park cabins, pavilions, and comfort stations at Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area on Hawaii Island.