A Maui group is looking at ways to stop the problematic traffic jam at iconic Twin Falls on the Hana Highway. But their solution may not please everyone. They are testing a resident-only parking fix to prevent visitors from stopping on the highway and running across to Twin Falls against oncoming traffic.
Parking is at the privately owned Twin Falls Farm. This isn’t the first time they implemented visitor restrictions. The situation is said to have become heated lately, with tempers flaring. For us, we’ve avoided stopping there entirely, just due to the sheer number of cars.
Resident-only parking test to begin at Twin Falls.
Today, the Friends of Twin Falls has blocked parking access in favor of locals. All vehicle occupants must prove Hawaii residency to enter, or they can return at another time. Friends of Twin Falls thinks this will showcase how well-managed natural resources can benefit visitors and residents. However, we don’t see how that is the case, given that most Twin Falls visitors are not locals.
It isn’t clear whether Friends of Twin Falls plans to continue making Saturdays a resident-only day the way today is. We have not heard any specifics, although there is certainly a plan for more days to be like this.
The Road to Hana is out of control.
As with other over-touristed places in Hawaii, and perhaps even more so, the Hana Highway cannot accommodate the number of cars that attempt the winding and sometimes dangerous drive. One of the most dangerous aspects for us is the number of vehicles that pull off the highway to park and take photos. It was just never meant to accommodate that type of activity.
Maui resident-only parking is already in effect at several beaches on Maui. As we wrote previously about Maui parking restrictions:
“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 discounted parking in Lahaina and Wailuku. Non-residents must pay for parking at Maui’s parks and beaches and in those two towns.” Fees will be up to $30.
At South Maui’s Kamaole Beach Parks and Ulua Beach, only Hawaii residents registered with Park Maui will be permitted to park between 7 AM to 10 AM.
Examples of other Hawaii visitor-restricted access programs include:
1. Diamond Head State Park Oahu.
Since May 2022, all visitors must have advance reservations (up to 30 days in advance) obtained from https://gostateparks.hawaii.gov/diamondhead. Hikers on foot also require reservations.
Hawaii residents can access the park anytime without reservations on a space-available basis.
2. Haena State Park Kauai.
Visitor reservations open 30 days in advance (don’t wait) and are available at https://gohaena.com. Alternatively, shuttle reservations may be possible.
Residents may access the park for day use without reservations.
3. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve.
Hanauma Bay also requires advance visitor reservations and the new $25 per person visitor fee. See all the Hanauma Bay rules.
Residents may access Hanauma Bay without reservations or fees from 6:45 AM to 9 AM, Wednesdays through Sundays only.
More and more Hawaii residents and government entities, although dependent on tourism for income, are telling tourists to stay home. Be careful what you wish for….
A lot of this info would have been helpful knowing ahead. We went to Maui. Been to 3 other islands in the past.The road to Hana was the most miserable road trip in my life. Parking to see sights needs to be severely addressed. Since drivers are so slow, I get the local’s impatience. But, some are down right rude. Will never go to Maui again. Recommending against it to all I know. Sorry, Maui.
They are the best ideas for residents. I would encourage more crowded places set these similar rules.
I know tourists won’t like it but they need to do their researches before coming to book or plan their trips accordingly.
Keep adding restrictions, fees and taxes on tourists (one of your very few industries) and you will likely kill the golden nene. After recently experiencing this, I’ll likely take my vacations elsewhere.
Best way to live is to leave every place you go cleaner then it was when you got there. Having said that. HCF won’t be handing out 77 billion to locals anymore,so HawIi residents will need to figure out how to support themselves without tourists. Caribbean and VI has better snorkeling and friendlier citizens.
I think they should just restrict the number of flights to Hawaii so the islands aren’t so overrun by tourists. And I think they should do more to help the native Hawaiian locals be able to afford to stay & live in their own islands…
Hawaii does not even have rent control, 45 day notice and they can set rent to what ever they want.
Rent Control-
Oregon and California are the only states with statewide rent control laws, both enacted in 2019. Six states—California, New York, New Jersey, Maine, Maryland, and Minnesota—have localities in which some form of residential rent control is in effect. The District of Columbia also has rent control for some rental units; publicly owned or assisted properties, properties built in 1978 or later, and properties held by an owner with fewer than five rental units are exempt from D.C.’s rent-control law.
Thirty-seven states either prohibit or preempt rent control, while eight states allow their cities to enact rent control, but have no cities that have implemented it.
That’s crazy when you have everyone demanding affordable housing.Suprised more states don’t have rules for rent control
My company in Washington, DC manages rentals and our property manager told me that rents under rent control are actually higher than market rate. However, as you correctly stated, most are exempt anyways. On another note, Section 8 pays considerably higher rent than regular tenants. I wish they would take care of the properties instead of paying higher rents ….For a long time, owners could not sell their properties because we had tenant rights that included 1st opportunity for the tenant to buy, then right of 1st refusal plus the 90 day notice to vacate which is still in effect. Ideas to protect a certain class might have started with good intentions, but at the end, they are hurting everyone. I prefer government housing.
I live on an Island : Long Beach NJ . To favor residents with parking is a wonderful sensibility
no doubt originating with the spiritual orientation of the native inhabitants . That sensibility seems to be missing in the mammon-driven world of white men make rules. Here in the East land of capitalism revenue , tax dollars , beach badges, signs and restrictions the day trippers are welcomed and the more money spent the better the business season becomes. Residents are the bedrock of infrastructure ; summer tourist season poses hazards on many levels; physical, mental and spiritual. The winter beach of wind-driven sand knows no wrappers, bottles or spent condoms.
People continue to be made although without a volcanic eruption no more land.
I think it’s a good move for these businesses. It’s true,we don’t go to certain areas anymore, but would like to. Even a once a month, like 2nd Saturday of every month. So that we can plan accordingly. I heard about this too late, had I known I would have gone.I hope it was successful.
I think we should just close the road to Hana altogether and only let the locals use it. Let’s see what happens when all those tourists stop coming and their economy collapses.
This is getting ridiculous. The Hawaiian economy is based on two things, tourism and the military bases the government runs.
People think that they pay a lot in taxes now, wait until all the tourism taxes drop.
Make Hana Rd a toll road for all rental vehicles. Each rental vehicle would possess a “Fast Pass” type of signal. Place warning signs on Hana Rd that rental vehicles will be charged a toll ahead, build a roundabout so vehicles could turn back before the toll was registered. The toll would be added to the rental vehicle bill and like the daily rental tax, would be turned over to the state and county.
This will not stop everyone from going but adding $50 to the rental bill might be enough to turn a good portion around.