Motorists with disabled-parking placards might no longer be able to park for free in nine city-owned or city-sponsored parking lots on Oahu, under a new law that’s scheduled to take effect soon.
The nine affected lots are those with parking lot attendants, city Transportation Services Director Mike Formby said. They are Hale Pauahi, Marin Tower, Kekaulike Courtyards, Harbor Court, Chinatown Gateway, Kukui Plaza, Smith-Beretania, Alii Place and Kaimuki Municipal Lot No. 1 (Ewa-end lot).
Those with placards, however, might still be able to park for free in metered stalls both in city-owned or city-sponsored lots as well as along city streets, under the plan. Examples of metered city parking lots are the ones at the Honolulu Police Department, the Frank F. Fasi Municipal Building, Harbor Village and Kaimuki Municipal Lot No. 2 (Koko Head-end lot).
The planned changes will be aired at a public informational meeting held by the city Department of Transportation Services at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Mission Memorial Building’s first-floor conference room at 550 S. King St.
The policy change, approved by the Honolulu City Council and signed by Mayor Kirk Caldwell earlier this year, makes the city rules on parking for people with disabilities consistent with state law.
The bill was supported by the state Disability and Communication Access Board, which testified that making the city law conform with statewide law would reduce confusion among those who hold placards. Ordinance 14-25 can be viewed at bit.ly/ 1u1qnHF.
Free parking for those with disabilities has been offered under the premise that parking meters are not always in areas accessible to those with disabilities. But because parking lot attendants allow for payment at driver height, the state chose to require everyone to pay to park in attendant lots, Formby said.
"The state’s position has always been that the (Americans for Disabilities Act) does not require that you get free parking. It’s never been about free parking; it’s been about access," Formby said. "If you go to the (state-run) airport, you don’t get free parking if you’re disabled, because there’s an attendant and the disabled can pay just as easily as the abled."
Caldwell asked for Wednesday’s public hearing because he was concerned that few people came out to testify on the bill as it was going through the Council, Formby said. The tentative plan is to make the switch at the nine lots Jan. 1, but that’s not set, he said.
"The law is clear, but we are giving the public an opportunity to express their opinion on the change," Formby said. "Depending on the public’s position, the mayor could recommend something other than enforcement."
