Ali‘i Drive between Kailua Pier and Hualalai Road will return to a two-way traffic configuration by Monday.
The Hawaii County pilot program created 46 additional free parking stalls in the south-bound lane of that busy section of roadway. The program concluded after measuring the community’s feedback about the one-lane traffic pattern for more than 30 days.
The trial initially was meant to last for 90 days, but Mayor Kimo Alameda cited a poll conducted by Big Island Now that showed a significant desire from residents for a return to two-way traffic.
“We truly appreciate everyone’s patience and input throughout this process,” Alameda said in a statement. “The pilot project and insights we have gathered have led us to explore new innovative solutions for our community. We are excited to implement these changes to enhance to experience for all.”
“It’s a vexing issue, and we appreciate the fact that the one-way traffic idea was attempted, as it brought thousands of eyeballs to the fact that quick solutions are needed to help save the businesses that have been adversely affected by paid parking,” said Julie Ziemelis from the Fix Paid Parking in Kona community group. “We are encouraged by the mayor’s efforts to look at our other solutions.”
Four of the five potential solutions the county is exploring involve seeking potential new parking access through collaboration with those currently controlling parking lots and property near the historic business district, according to the county’s announcement.
The county said Parklinq Corporation already has agreed to work on revising its parking fees to make existing public parking lots more affordable for users in and around Kailua town, and the county itself is considering offering public access to stalls at the Hale Halawai facility on Ali‘i Drive when they are not reserved for events.
Other options being explored are potential hotel partnerships currently being discussed with one or more area hotels to offer parking to the public, and active negotiations with a landowner off of Ali‘i Drive who may be leasing a parcel to the county that could open 100 new stalls.
The final alternative solution being considered is the addition of 10 or more head-in diagonal stalls above the Coconut Grove Marketplace along Kuakini Highway, according to the county.
While Executive Director of the Kailua Village Business District Ross Wilson praised the mayor’s “bold” effort with the one-way pilot program on Ali‘i Drive, he agreed with the public consensus that the increased traffic that resulted from it was not worth the added free parking.
He said he supports all five of the proposed new solutions, saying they are all easy to implement and would immediately help solve the public parking issue.
“All of the proposed solutions should be started and commenced together. No one solution is better or will solve the issue by itself,” Wilson said. “I’m happy the mayor and his administration are negotiating with private landowners and parking companies.”
Wilson said one hotel he heard that the county is working with to create more parking options is the King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, which he called a “great solution.”
Email Kyveli Diener at kdiener@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
