Today we hike up the money trail leading to the top of Diamond Head.

Reader Anna Kerr saw recent news stories about a $4.4 million legislative appropriation for improvements to the hiking trail and parking area at Diamond Head Monument and had some questions.

"I have been hiking Diamond Head for years and remember when they first started to charge an entrance fee," Kerr wrote. "It was stated that the fee was to upkeep/upgrade Diamond Head. So why does money need to be appropriated?

"Where does all the money go that is collected for admission?" Kerr asked.

It turns out that entry fees at Diamond Head — $1 per person, $5 per car, $40 per bus — go into a special fund that is used for repairs and maintenance at all state parks, not just Diamond Head.

That's according to Dan Quinn, state parks administrator.

Quinn noted that a new law enacted by the Legislature this year now requires that 55 percent of all Diamond Head revenue must be spent on Diamond Head.

Gov. Linda Lingle threatened to veto the measure but instead let it pass into law without her signature.

The issue is similar to one that cropped up several years ago involving the city-operated Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, where entry fees were charged only to non-Hawai'i residents.

That practice was challenged as unconstitutional. A federal judge found the practice legal, but also ruled that the city had to spend all the fee revenue on Hanauma Bay and not on other city parks. It's unclear whether that ruling would apply in the case of state parks.

Diamond Head is one of the few state parks that visitors must pay to use. There are cabin rental, camping and concession fees charged at others, but Diamond Head generates more than $500,000 annually — about 25 percent of all revenue for the parks fund, Quinn said.

State Sen. Les Ihara, D-9th (Kapahulu, Kaimuki, Palolo), said the law earmarking 55 percent of Diamond Head fees for use at Diamond Head was overdue. "A previous bill set the figure at 75 to 80 percent, but the administration said they might have to lay people off if that passed," Ihara said.

In addition to the $4.4 million appropriation, the governor last month authorized spending an additional $700,000 for Diamond Head safety improvements. That money will be used to lessen the danger of rockfalls at the monument and along Diamond Head Road.

If you know that a particular money trail will lead to boondoggle, excessive spending or white elephants, reach Jim Dooley at 535-2447 or jdooley@honoluluadvertiser.com