Parking rates might be raised to fund rail

Beachgoers and surfers are the latest groups to object to a city plan to raise an additional $4 million by doubling parking prices and increasing parking enforcement hours in Waikiki and downtown.

The Honolulu City Council is slated to make a final decision on Bill 12 during its June 7 meeting, which starts at 10 a.m.

The proposed measure could cause the price at Waikiki metered stalls to go to $3 an hour between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. in areas where it is now $1.50 an hour, and to $1.50 an hour where it is now 75 cents an hour. Parking for 10 minutes would cost 50 cents. The proposal also could double designated metered parking rates downtown to $3 an hour from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell authored the bill after the Legislature called on the city to have more “skin in the game” to fund rail, said city spokesman Jesse Broder Van Dyke. Revenues would go into the highway fund to be used for bus and rail operations, Broder Van Dyke said.

The partially built rail line is massively over budget. The estimated price tag for the project has increased from $5.26 billion in late 2014 to as much as $10 billion today, including financing costs.

“To me the mayor and those guys can’t manage the expenditures for the rail, so they are literally trying to nickle-and-dime residents every which way they can to pay for it,” said Lou Erteschik, Waikiki Neighborhood Board vice chairman. “That’s the kind of rate that you would pay for a downtown garage. It’s way overpriced.”

Erteschik said he has received emails from beachgoers and others who are concerned that the city’s proposal will negatively affect those who live in, work in and visit the state’s No. 1 tourist district.

Jon Nouchi, deputy director of the city Department of Transportation Services, said $4 million is generated from all Oahu parking meters, including Waikiki. By doubling the rates, total revenue could double, he said.

Nouchi said a previous parking study determined “that available parking is more desirable than low prices” and that higher pricing would encourage commuters to take the bus, bike or walk.

Broder Van Dyke said beachgoers and businesses would benefit from additional metered parking, which creates stall turnover.

Keone Downing, son of well-known big-wave surfer George Downing and a member of Save Our Surf, said Waikiki’s ocean users aren’t likely to agree.

“I don’t think this will apply to all Waikiki parking, but I’m watching this closely because it could negatively impact some recreational water users,” Downing said. “They feed the meter all day at work, and now on their free time some of them have got to stop enjoying the water and go feed the meter. It could cost $9 or $10 just to go to the beach. Not everyone can afford it.”

Janet Mandrell, public liaison for the Makai Society, a recreational boating organization, said she’s trying to spread the word about the changes, which she believes would be negative for some.

“The way it’s written, if you are coming down to Waikiki to surf, especially down near the Diamond Head side, you will get nailed,” Mandrell said.

If Bill 12 is passed, Nouchi said, it would be implemented promptly.

“Smart meters are wireless devices and can be updated within one week. The remaining coin-only meters will take about one month to manually reprogram,” he said.