DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

News Release

LINDA LINGLE

GOVERNOR

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ALLAN A. SMITH, INTERIM CHAIRPERSON

Phone: (808) 587-0401

Fax: (808) 587-0390

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release: June 1, 2007

DLNR To Host Last Public Information Meeting
To Present Proposed Plan For Ala Wai Parking
(General Public Invited To Participate)

HONOLULU - The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) will host the last in a series of Ala Wai Harbor public meetings to address parking issues at the Ala Wai small boat harbor, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, June 6. The meeting will take place in the Hawaii Prince Hotel, Mauna Loa ballroom.

"After two public meetings and input from our parking survey, we have developed a general plan that will meet the needs of harbor users, the community and the department," said Allan Smith, DLNR interim chairperson. "From the public input and needs analysis we have synthesized the best and most practical ideas into the recommended plan being presented at this meeting."

At the meeting, DOBOR will present the results of a survey mailed out to all 560 active tenants in the harbor. Survey recipients were asked if they agree or disagree with the need for Parking Management at the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor.

The remaining parking plan to be considered is as follows:

- DLNR will issue a revocable permit to a vehicle parking company to manage all vehicles parking at the Ala Wai small boat harbor 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- The plan places a parking lot entry/exit gate and toll booths leading into the marina.
- A fence or barrier would separate the marina area from the heliport area.
- Parking at the heliport would be posted “For Recreational and Harbor Users Only.” “No Overnight Parking.”
- The heliport would be closed during the evening hours.
- No fees would be collected for heliport parking.
- Non-ocean recreational/harbor users would be subject to towing.

"This final plan has taken into account everybody's input. It is practical and the best solution to meet the various needs and issues with fairness,” he said.

Participant parking for the June 6 meeting is available at the Ala Wai small boat harbor or any of the hotels in the area. DLNR appreciates the generosity of the Hawaii Prince Hotel in providing the meeting place at no cost.

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For more information, contact:
Deborah Ward
DLNR Public Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320