Visitors on the honor system for Pali Lookout fee

Question: A reader asked in the March 19 Kokua Line about paid parking at Pali Lookout, which is charged to nonresidents only. I’ve been there several times since this fee was introduced and have never seen signage that exempts residents nor any attendant. There was just blue kiosks to collect the $3 parking fee. How does this work exactly? 

Question: Can you please clarify the parking charges at Pali Lookout for nonresidents versus local visitors? Your March 19 column states a "fee is charged to nonresidents and commercial vehicles. … Visitors are charged $3 per vehicle, and commercial vehicles are charged $6, $12, or $24 per vehicle" depending on size. How do you define "visitors" — local residents versus nonresidents?

Answer: A parking attendant is on duty at the Nu’uanu Pali State Wayside (aka Pali Lookout) during peak visitor hours, mainly to answer questions and help with the pay machines, said Deborah Ward, spokeswoman for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

The parking fee for nonresidents basically relies on the honor system.

An attendant is stationed at the Pali Lookout "most of the time … during the hours they are required to be there," which Ward said fluctuates based on peak visitor times and hours.

Asked how Hawaii residents would know they did not have to pay, she said, "See the signs."

If the signs have been vandalized or are missing, "the vendor will be notified that they should be replaced," Ward said.

The fee collection system is mainly an honor system that "has worked for several years," she said, with only a few complaints at the onset or when new parking staff is on-site. "Worldwide, visitors are sensitized to paying for parking and entrance fees at other municipal, state or federal parks."

An attendant is there to help "guide the public" if there is a problem with the machines, if there are questions on how to pay and to clarify, "as needed," who should pay.

"However, the vendor is instructed not to get into a argument over the $3 fee if the individual challenges the payment," Ward said. "It is not worth the income nor the ill will on-site at a peaceful park setting."

She also said that the larger percentage of parking income comes from commercial vehicles that are billed monthly by the vendor based on patronage, although, as mentioned previously, "sometimes there are issues with late or nonpayment by a few commercial companies."

Regarding differentiating between residents and nonresidents, Ward said a Hawaii driver’s license or Hawaii state ID card would be proof of residency.

She also explained that if a resident drives up with visitors, there is no charge.

"It is a parking fee, not an entrance fee," she said. "If a resident drives up in a rental car, it is no charge. If a visitor drives up in a rental car with a resident who is showing them around, it is no charge."

The fee is meant strictly for out-of-state visitors who typically rent a vehicle as well as the "daily mass tourism of the commercial tour companies."

"Again, these small fees go to help support maintenance in the state parks, and we hope the public will continue to support that need," Ward said.

MAHALO

To a couple who came to my aid when I had a freak accident with my car at Costco in Kapolei on Feb. 26. I was in shock and unable to get their names, but I hope they see this and know how grateful I am for their help and also the heartfelt concern they had for my well-being. They were my angels that day, and I will always remember their kindness. God bless them. — Hannah

MAHALO

To those who take the initiative to discard their opala properly when patronizing our city, state and federal facilities and going the extra mile to clean up opala left behind by selfish and uncaring citizens. We seem to be the minority nowadays, but we can’t give up. Continue to care for our aina, clean up after ourselves and after others to keep our islands as pristine as possible. Mahalo to those who care! — Luis Navarro

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