Splash!
DOBOR Defers Rent
■ Using a Zoom video format, DLNR broadcast its April 9 Board of Land and Natural Resources monthly meeting. The meeting members discussed the deferral of the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) commercial boat operator income surcharge.
As a result of Gov. Ige’s COVID-19 Emergency Proclamations on March 4, 16, 21 and 23, all commercial boating operations in Hawai‘i have ceased. DLNR Chairperson Suzanne Case said they have “received numerous requests [from] lessees, permits and concessionaires statewide for rent relief.”
According to regulations passed last year, commercial boat operators pay fee surcharges that “shall be the greater of two times the mooring fees as provided in Section 13-234-3 or 3 percent of the monthly gross receipts.”
Suzanne was firm in her testimony that all boaters are still paying mooring fees. She cited that “it is generally acknowledged by DLNR, DOT and the Department of the Attorney General that rent payments can be deferred based on a showing of need.” Deferred rent would “need to be made up within a reasonable time specified by the departments, but no interest or penalties would be charged,” the statement read.
Maui BLNR Member James Gomes asked questions that were given to him by stakeholders. Ed Underwood, DOBOR administrator, told James that DOBOR employees were not reporting to work but were doing
