And according to staffers quoted in the reports, walk-up passes were often unavailable, taken by tour companies such as Roberts Tours, VIP Tours and Discover Hawaii.



Two internal Park Service reports completed last year revealed the extent of the ticket diversion scheme. These reports were only made public after PEER filed a freedom of information request and pushed for their release.



The reports noted that tour companies received stacks of tickets intended for the public and that some visitors wound up paying between $39 and $89 for those tickets that should have been free.



And when staffers raised concerns about the shortage of tickets, the report says Middleton, who runs the ticket program, told them to "Do what you are told."



"The reports indicate that the tour companies are basically running the memorial, not just tickets but the whole operation," Ruch said.



"People aren't going to be open to visiting if they can't get tickets or they have to pay an awful lot of money to take a tour."



The Park Service had no comment when asked about the report.