The city's park system is an essential resource for all O'ahu residents. Even if you rarely step foot on any of the city's more than 450 parks, they provide green oases in an increasingly urban environment.

That park system is supported by taxpayers and should be available for the public to freely enjoy — subject to reasonable and sensible rules.

That is why the City Council must consider very carefully a proposal to charge a fee to camp at the city's 15 parks that allow overnight stays.

If particular use by one segment of the population creates an extra burden on the parks and on the city budget, it is certainly not unreasonable to discuss whether those who create that burden help pay for the extra costs.

It means the city must fairly delineate what those extra costs are and ensure that the fee schedule covers those specific costs and nothing more.

Camping is a park use that should be encouraged, not discouraged, and fees should be kept as low as possible. Similarly, campers should be responsible park users and not leave debris and trash behind, creating extra work for park employees. We live in paradise; we must all do our part to keep it that way.

The city is anticipating criticism that a camping fee is a nefarious way to push homeless off beach parks. We accept the city's word that is not the main goal. However, the city must recognize it has to play an active role in finding real shelter for the burgeoning number of homeless on the island.

Reasonable camping fees for real campers is fair. What is also fair and right is for the city to be part of the housing solution.