Maui has great resorts and many of them. It also has a large and much-improved airport, and the Valley Isle succeeded in attracting the most flights (including widebody) to Hawaii of any airport other than Honolulu. But now it has clearly become too much of a good thing. So what happens next and will there ever be a way to make everyone happy?
We’re focusing today on what is happening at some of the iconic Maui beaches, as well as in Lahaina, Wailuku, and soon thereafter, Hana. In the next few months, Maui will implement substantial visitor-only parking fees and limit hours of visitor parking entirely, at a range of popular beaches. The final start date of early 2023 is still being devised together with some further specifics outlined below.
Is it the money or the idea that stings visitors the worst?
We’ve had hundreds of comments about the plans for paid beach parking on Maui, and they have included various ideas.
- Residents say they can no longer park at these locations because the parking is overcrowded with tourists.
- Tourists are incensed that they will need to pay up to $30 for beach day parking.
- Others have mentioned that if you can afford to come to Maui, the $30 means nothing.
- Whether free parking is extended to Hawaii residents other than Maui County is not yet resolved.
- Comments have mentioned that charging a $30 flat rate encourages visitors to park for an extended period. In contrast, paid hourly parking (such as at Honolulu Zoo, for example) encourages those parking to leave sooner and make space available for others.
$30 beach parking for visitors. $0 for Maui residents.
The price range for parking may vary by location, season, and other variables yet to be set forth. The citations for violating the new parking rules also have not been announced.
The county locations included in the initial roll-outs include the following. These were confirmed last week by Maui County Council’s Vice-Chair.
The county said these locations were chosen partly because of the ease of implementing parking kiosks.
- Kamaole Beach Park I
- Kamaole Beach Park II
- Kamaole Beach Park III
- Ulua Beach
Other locations being discussed, likely with hourly rates:
- Paia Town
- Hana Town
- Lahaina Town
- Wailuku Town
The parking website says Maui’s “new parking management program strives to implement forward-thinking solutions for parking at beach parks, in business districts, and on streets throughout our island’s most heavily utilized areas.”
The theory.
“When parking demand clusters in certain areas, parking policies can mitigate congestion and improve access. Strategic investments in technology will streamline parking management and transform parking into a customer-friendly component of the overall transportation system.”
In other words, start charging now in the worst areas; raise prices as demand dictates until the desired reduction in vehicles occurs, then expand the program incrementally as quickly as feasible.
Why now?
Maui has more than 3 million visitors a year. The sheer magnitude and the lack of adequate infrastructure mean residents cannot easily access the island’s parks and beaches. PARKMAUI says, “Lahaina and Paia have become so unpleasant for residents to find parking, many have stopped going, and Wailuku has long suffered from a parking shortage.”
It’s been nearly a decade that the Valley Isle has been looking for ways to better manage congestion, initially in Wailuku and Lahaina. Subsequently, it became clear that the effort should be greatly expanded to include most beaches and parks.
Much like on Maui, beaches on Oahu and Kauai find themselves simply without parking much of the time. Examples are Kailua and Lanikai beaches on Oahu, Tunnels Beach, and Hanalei Beach on Kauai.
Highlights of the new parking program:
Maui County residents who register will have free parking at Maui’s parks and beaches at all times, as well as 1-2 hours of free parking and/or discounted parking in Lahaina and Wailuku.
Non-residents must pay for parking at Maui’s parks and beaches and in those two towns. Parking passes will be available online or via mobile app or pay stations. It sounds like the app may not be available at the program’s roll-out. Thus kiosk-based payments may be visitors only option.
The program hopes to be financially sustainable, reinvesting the revenue into various, unspecified County resources and programs.
State parks and beaches are not included.
Hawaii state beaches, including Makena Beach and Waianapanapa Beach, are subject to state rules and fees and not those from the county. Waianapanapa State Park, for example, charges $5 per person plus $10 per vehicle.
New PARKMAUI program.
What is your take on Maui’s visitor parking plan?
Since your editors are residents of Kauai County, we, like mainland visitors, may be subject to these new fees. We’ll have to give it thought before paying $30 for beach parking at Kam III on the next trip to Maui.
Pilot paid parking at Maui beaches.
Maui’s Ulua beach and Kamaole I, II, and III Beaches will have parking equipment installed. This will be evaluated during the first 90 days of operation, and changes may be made subsequently to enhance the program.
After that, paid visitor parking is planned “throughout South and West Maui beach park locations as timing, funding and permitting allows.”
Pilot paid parking at Lahaina and Wailuku towns.
In Lahaina and Wailuku, visitors compete with employees and residents for limited parking. Additional small-town parking fees will be implemented as soon as possible.
The announcement of the final plans is forthcoming.
Next week the Maui County Council’s Infrastructure and Transportation Committee plans to meet to finalize the terms of the measure. We just learned that residents might initially be able to insert driver’s licenses into the kiosks as proof of residency. Later, the app will be rolled out and will offer pre-registration for parking. The app is said to advise on parking conditions so that users can know in advance whether or not parking is likely to be available.
A new “parking ambassador” rule is being designed for those who will be handling parking enforcement.
What’s your take on Maui’s parking plans?
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Nealh says
My place is right across the street from Kamaole and I fully expect that cars will be parked in our parking space by those trying to avoid paying for parking
David J says
No more Maui for me!
Doris A. says
As a person who does not have endless amounts of money I have visited Maui and feel that $30 is steep and it may make people want to stay longer making it harder for others to visit the area. And it may also lesson the number of areas visited which also affects income to the areas. Lodging is already high along with food and drink because of inflation. The middle class, will not have any money left to spend in small shops etc. And the frequency of visits less. In my opinion $10 to 15 is reasonable and limits on parking time. 2 hr $15 Want to stay another 2 hr add $15 and so on. After 2 to 4 hours you will have plenty of ocean and sun. Others would like to visit beaches too.
Steve R says
The comment that if you can afford to come to Maui, then $30 a day for parking is no biggie is laughable. $30 is exorbitant. We go to the listed beaches most days when visiting. Thus, we will pay between $240 and $300. We love Hawaii but are not wealthy. With the price of everything going up, the hurt is cumulative. Soon it just isn’t fun or worth it.
Richard C says
Aloha BOH Bro’s
What you’re witnessing is the “Gentrification” of Maui.
Most Maui housing is being purchased by upper middle class Americans and most new businesses cater to them and tourist.
As older residents of Maui pass away their families ether cannot afford to take over existing property or chose to cash out dividing the spoils of sold property among inheritors.
It’s game over for Hawaiians on Maui.
Patrick says
If they choose to cash out, whose fault is that? The tourists?
Joe P says
…”Square off”?
Interesting negative connotation to chose in context of the concern being expressed.
Paula D says
Remember many of us are owners in Hawaii. Fees are to high. When we car pool at one of the park with 4 people would be a $50 fee. Payed parking is already In place in Lahaina. What about shuttle services from resorts? Also we were told there will be a moratorium on new resorts to control the amount of visitors in the area.
Ken R. says
Are these charges for the beach parking in Maui already happening? My wife and I are planning our first visit to Maui next month.
SCOTTW says
No, these ideas are still in the country council which moves rather slowly. I doubt it will be implemented as law within the next 4 months, probably longer.
Fran says
The problem needs to be looked at in its entirety. Hawaii is placing bandaids on it. We need to be looking at how much tourism can hawaii safely support and build up the infrastructure to maintain it. Where has all the money gone for infrastructure? Where are plans that residents can speak to. I think the local hotels need to invest in electric shuttle services to bring people back and forth to the beaches and or destination spots and return them to the hotels. That way people are free to go and come as they please and more people can take advantage of the sights. This would be better for the environment but not good for car rentals or tax revenue. But the economy needs to be diversified and long term investment in rentalcarsisnotsustainabl
SCOTTW says
You have it backwards – rather than building up infrastructure to meet tourism demand, we should be throttling back tourism to match existing infrastructure. We are a small island and our quality of life is being impacted by turning this place into Disneyland. It is not a theme park of beaches, it is our home. Let us keep our community. Don’t come here unless you will respect our home and how we want to live. Mahalo and aloha.
Patrick says
How do you “throttle it back” as it were. People are still going to come unless things get so expensive you price out the middle class visitor and make it only affordable for the well to do.
It seems HI leadership wouldn’t want to do that as it would cause a drop in revenue.
BB says
Respect, that’s what you call trashing out the island with abandoned cars. Tourists aren’t doing that. Fishing and leaving trash everywhere thats a local problem. 100s of millions in taxes every year go towards what? All the extra tax that is put on rental cars, who is pocketing that. Maybe Hawaii residents should pay more for rooms and parking in Vegas. If you can afford to to go then it shouldn’t matter. This my home after all not Disney World.
Sandy E. says
A search online and friends who live in Vegas tell me there are discounts at many attractions, shows, casinos for local residents. Hawaii doesn’t want to just charge those from Vegas extra so why would Vegas only charge people from Hawaii? That doesn’t make sense. And yep people have been forced live on the streets because others have bought up all the housing for short term rentals or high priced long term rentals. People have turned to crime. retty sure there’s a similar situation in Vegas, local people trash it there too. Doesn’t mean we still shouldn’t charge visitors more for coming to our state when we can’t afford anything here anymore either. Our government is corrupt, it’s not a secret. We don’t know where the money goes either.
Wayne B says
Parking should b free for kamaaina, whether maui county, or hawaii county. As residents we all face the same problems no matter what island.
Dave C says
I live in So Cal A trip to Huntington or Newport Beach requires a parking fee for everybody who uses the beach. Why should Maui residents be treated so special. They choose to live in a very expensive zip code Enough slamming on the tourists
Tre A says
Do not enter please. Thank you.
Don says
Well you definitely don’t have the aloha spirit.
I’m sure you respect our cities when you come out with that attitude
Sandy E. says
In the past few years tourism has gotten out of control, along with people from other states buying out the properties for investment. While this is only a bandaid to the problem, it’s at least something. I read comments from people who own properties (some even are short term rentals!) and they think they should be entitled to everything on Maui. It is appalling that residents are stating that they can’t even go to places like Lahaina or Paia or to many beach parks because they are overcrowded and people who live out of state complain because they think their taxes paid on their investment property should give them a free pass. Many residents can’t afford rent let alone to buy a second property they can rent out for profits.
Steven B says
Think about the following:Ultimately after 1000 plus residences,/apartments are constructed close to Wailea, Maui’s roads and infrastructure for many will be unbearable.
The traffic just “sits now, during peak hours on Piilani highway.
Might we end up with parking lots serviced by beach shuttles in order to enjoy our beaches?
That is where we are headed!
Rich C says
My family will not be returning to Hawaii. A tax is a tax is a tax. Another bureaurcracy is born and will result in more state employee’s being paid way to much money and huge retirement obligations.
Mike S says
This is a tough one, I understand the feelings of locals. But, not all of us that come to Maui are as rich as the locals think. We don’t all have unlimited funds. Alot of us save up for many years in order to come to the Islands and in a 10 day to two week visit, that much for parking can add up fast.If you are going to have paid parking are you also going to have lot security?
Sara O says
As a visitor from a state that suffers from over infestation of tourism in our parks…. I say, it’s really great plan. Generate revenue for upkeep. Save the reefs!
Deb A says
We scrimp and save to come to Maui and will not pay extra for parking.
There are plenty of other vacation sites to visit. It is becoming evident that Maui does not want visitors as they must have enough money without us here.
Shame to see all the homelessness here. We can stay home to see this.
Love Hawaii, will not continue to feel unwelcome
Stephen B says
Managing tourism with parking fees, and reservation systems are band-aids. They don’t deal with the real problem of “Over-Tourism.” There simply are too many visitors. We need to find a way to limit the amount of people coming here. Limiting rental cars; strict enforcement of illegal vacation rentals; heavy taxes for legal vacation rentals to encourage them to be converted to long-term rentals for residents; no public funds to advertise Hawaii tourism…………and anything else to limit tourism.
Peter says
Good idea, stop tourists and build up your other major industry…oh wait you don’t have one! Better carry on gouging tourists just stop whining about it.
Marian H says
What do Mauians think will happen at parking lots (eg. shopping areas) close to paid beach parking? Everyone is going to be looking for free parking and that means shopping area lots. This whole issue is creating a toxic mentality that tourists are inherently bad. Like it or not, tourism is Hawaii’s main income source, but for most of us, our pockets are not bottomless and forcing us to pay extortionate fees for a trip to the beach is going to backfire. We live in an area that is overrun with tourists, but we don’t single them out with unreasonable fees. Everyone pays the same fees. We have been coming to Maui every year for the last 30 years, but we’ve heard the message and we won’t be back. But that’s what you wanted, wasn’t it?
Darla says
Well said Marian!! We live in SoCal at the beach and Everyone pays for beach parking- us included. If these locals are so concerned they should have no problem putting their money where their mouth is. Any money paid could be going to maintenance for the area and perhaps parking expansion, right? So why should only the tourists pay? That’s discriminative and without tourist Maui would lose one of their main sources of income.
SCOTTW says
This is not about money, it is about getting our island back for those of us who live here. Politicians won’t do the hard stuff of putting the brakes on tourism so they come up with little bandaids like this. Personally I could care less if tourists get angry and don’t come back.
Peter says
Most short sighed reply yet! Tourism is the only economy in Hawaii. Hand that feeds you and all that…
Judi H says
Last week you ran an article that said there weren’t enough tourists in Hawaii. This week your article tells us that Maui tourists will be charged $30.00 for beach parking. Maybe its just me, but does anyone else see a correlation? We live near a tourist/beach community (Hilton Head Island) Everyone pays for metered parking, by the hour, for beach access. The bathrooms, showers, boardwalks, etc. are well maintained & clean. Everyone who uses the beach pays. Only seems fair.