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Question: The redo of the Waikiki Shell parking lot has to be one of the longest ongoing projects on Oahu. This project has been going on for months and is still a ways from completion. What’s up?
Answer: "The project is a long one and our apologies for taking away parking in this heavily used park," acknowledged Chris Takashige, director of the city Department of Design and Construction.
It’s taking so long because there’s more to it than just repaving the parking lot, he said.
The $3.2 million project, awarded to Okada Trucking, began Feb. 1. The targeted completion date is early next summer, before the school year ends, when Kapiolani Park reaches its busiest time of the year, Takashige said.
In addition to repaving the lot, the contractor is bringing up pedestrian areas to standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act; changing rusted lighting fixtures; enlarging the "islands" to accommodate mature tree growth; and adding "Low Impact Development" features to not only deal with Mother Nature, but utilize it.
Those "LID" features will divert stormwater away from traditional storm drains and into holding areas or green spaces for natural seepage into the ground, Takashige said.
The contract requires Okada Trucking to stop work for pre-scheduled, large park events "in hopes of minimizing detrimental impacts to the events," he said.
The next scheduled work stoppage is for a total of about six weeks in November and December to accommodate the Honolulu Marathon.
More parking spaces will not be added to the lot.
The question is, Will parking still be free after the project is completed?
That "is still under consideration by the Department of Parks and Recreation," Takashige said.
Question: My husband and I are leaving for a five-day trip to the mainland. There used to be a place just outside of Honolulu Airport that offered parking for short trips. The shuttle to drop you off and pick you up at the airport was included in the cost of parking. Do you know if there is still a service like this? If not, what is the cost of parking by the day/week at the airport?
Answer: There is no such option available.
The private company that provided this service just outside the airport shut down in the mid-2000s, according to the state Department of Transportation.
The maximum fee is $15 for 24 hours to park in any airport parking structure.
It costs less — $12 per 24 hours, minimum two-day stay, $24 charge — in the uncovered economy lot (Lot B) on Aolele Street, fronting the Commuter Terminal.
All parking lots have a 30-day parking limit. There is no weekly fee offered.
For details on hourly and motorcycle rates, and locations, see hawaii.gov/hnl/airport-parking or call AMPCO Parking at 861-1260.
MAHALO
To Honolulu police officers B. Bushaw and B. Danielson. Early one morning, driving into town on the freeway, I took the School Street exit and headed down Liliha Street toward Honolulu Community College. Just before crossing North King Street, I drove over some steel plates and blew out my front tire. I was scared and didn’t want to stop on Liliha, which was under heavy construction, so I drove on through to Dillingham Boulevard, hoping to find a police officer at the HPD substation near City Square Shopping Center. Both Officers Bushaw and Danielson immediately followed me to my car, hoisted it up and took off the punctured tire. They were both friendly and comforting as they proceeded to replace the tire. I would like to thank and acknowledge two of HPD’s finest officers! I drove home without stress and feeling full of aloha.— Mama Cat
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