Maui Considering Parking Fees for Visitors

[T_R_Oglodyte]

So does this drive Uber car rentals, as that car could have local resident pass on it, vs a rental at the airport.

I don't know how that works.

In a larger perspective, my sense is the most Kauai residents believe that pre-pandemic the island was receiving more visitors than it could handle, with the locals left deal with the damages of too many visitors. Thus there is interest and political will to take measures such as visitor fees and restricted access to Ke'e, not only to raise money, but also to try rein in the number of visitors. If they protect the island, it will remain a special place for them and for visitors, but without restricting traffic in some way, the island will lose much of what makes it special.

We've been going to Kauai for more than 20 years, and I do have some sympathy for that sentiment. It has lost charm in the time that we have been going. and the infrastructure is creaking.

 

[Luanne]

So does this drive Uber car rentals, as that car could have local resident pass on it, vs a rental at the airport.

I wouldn't think so. If you're going to use Uber to tour places you'd have to be paying them for all of their time. Or am I missing something?

 

[Sandy VDH]

I wouldn't think so. If you're going to use Uber to tour places you'd have to be paying them for all of their time. Or am I missing something?

Uber now has car rentals. You can rents someones personal vehicle via Uber. This is not hire a driver, but rent a car.

 

[Luanne]

Uber now has car rentals. You can rents someones personal vehicle via Uber. This is not hire a driver, but rent a car.

Thanks for the clarification. Sounds like Turo.

 

[slip]

Uber now has car rentals. You can rents someones personal vehicle via Uber. This is not hire a driver, but rent a car.

I think parking would be free for Hawaii residents even with a rental cat. Just like Waimea Canyon. You would just show a Hawaii ID and entry and parking are free.

 

[Luanne]

Uber now has car rentals. You can rents someones personal vehicle via Uber. This is not hire a driver, but rent a car.

In thinking this through, renting a car, or an Uber wouldn't work. You have to show proof of residence.

Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area

Hours Daily Hours 7:00am to 7:30pm Gates Close at 8:00pm Entrance Fee *Credit Card Only* Hawaii Residents = Free w/ Drivers Lic. or ID Non-Residents = $5.00 Per Person Children 3 and Under = Free… Read More »

dlnr.hawaii.gov

 

[slip]

In thinking this through, renting a car, or an Uber wouldn't work. You have to show proof of residence.

Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area

Hours Daily Hours 7:00am to 7:30pm Gates Close at 8:00pm Entrance Fee *Credit Card Only* Hawaii Residents = Free w/ Drivers Lic. or ID Non-Residents = $5.00 Per Person Children 3 and Under = Free… Read More »

dlnr.hawaii.gov

Yes and it doesn't matter if it's a rental car when you show proof of residence.

 

[Tamaradarann]

In thinking this through, renting a car, or an Uber wouldn't work. You have to show proof of residence.

Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area

Hours Daily Hours 7:00am to 7:30pm Gates Close at 8:00pm Entrance Fee *Credit Card Only* Hawaii Residents = Free w/ Drivers Lic. or ID Non-Residents = $5.00 Per Person Children 3 and Under = Free… Read More »

dlnr.hawaii.gov

At least with a Uber you wouldn't have to pay for parking!

 

[Tamaradarann]

At least with a Uber you wouldn't have to pay for parking!

Since there is a $10 parking fee for non-residents.

 

[Luanne]

At least with a Uber you wouldn't have to pay for parking!

How do you figure that? You have to show ID. If you aren't a resident of Hawaii you pay.

 

[Tamaradarann]

How do you figure that? You have to show ID. If you aren't a resident of Hawaii you pay.

You would still have to pay for entrance, but with an Uber you don't park. The Uber drives away when you get out.

Also, the Uber driver is probably a resident.

 

[rickandcindy23]

If the parking charges at the Iao Needle managed to dissuade many people from visiting, I'd hate to see what it looked like before. The place was jam-packed when we made our first visit last summer. I don't mind the non-resident fees that the islands have been applying one bit. It's not a bad thing for tourists to be encouraged to visit "other" places beyond the obvious and most crowded ones, and if that makes a little more room for the residents to also enjoy the wonderful spots on the island, great.

We are happy to pay as well.

 

[Luanne]

You would still have to pay for entrance, but with an Uber you don't park. The Uber drives away when you get out.

Also, the Uber driver is probably a resident.

They were talking about renting a car from Uber, not using an Uber driver. See post #28.

 

[JIMinNC]

We are happy to pay as well.

As are we. I think its a reasonable way to address places that are over-touristed.

 

[Tamaradarann]

They were talking about renting a car from Uber, not using an Uber driver. See post #28.

Oh, I didn't even know you could rent a car from Uber. We use Uber all the time when we need to transport lots of stuff and can't take a BUS I thought their cars were owned by the driver. If he/she rents their car they have no job.

 

[Luanne]

Oh, I didn't even know you could rent a car from Uber. We use Uber all the time when we need to transport lots of stuff and can't take a BUS I thought their cars were owned by the driver. If he/she rents their car they have no job.

I didn't think Uber rented cars either. It was clarified for me in post #28.

 

[Tamaradarann]

Thanks. I wonder how that works with insurance. I am always hesitant to use someone else's car or lend my car to someone else. If there is an accident the insurance situation gets complicated.

 

[Luanne]

Thanks. I wonder how that works with insurance. I am always hesitant to use someone else's car or lend my car to someone else. If there is an accident the insurance situation gets complicated.

As I said earlier, it sounds a lot like Turo. You're using someone else's car. You may, or may not, be covered by your insurance. You may, or may not, have to take out additional insurance to cover yourself.

 

[Tamaradarann]

As I said earlier, it sounds a lot like Turo. You're using someone else's car. You may, or may not, be covered by your insurance. You may, or may not, have to take out additional insurance to cover yourself.

OK, may or may not! I am sure glad that when you make a rent a car resrvation you know you have a car when you get there, or when you make a timeshare reservation you know you will have a unit when you get there, Usually when I rent a car my personal car insurance covers my rent a car liability and I get primary damage coverage from American Express for $20 for the entire trip so that I don't need to file a claim with my insurance company for anything but liabilty.

 

[TravelTime]

When we go to Maui or any island in Hawaii, we rent a car and rarely use it so parking fees would not be an issue for us since it would be infrequent. Plus we go to the beach where we are staying. It would not deter us from going somewhere. Last time we were in Maui, we went to the luau in Lahaina and we paid to park in a parking lot. Can‘t remember how much but it was reasonable.

I am okay with certain spots for locals. I think Manhattan or San Francisco might do this already in some neighborhoods. I can’t remember which one but I do know it was one of them.

When we fly out of airports in CA, we park in short term parking and pay a fortune. Last time, it was $450 I think for 15 days. So paying $20 or so to go to the beach, entertainment or shopping is not a big deal to us.

I suspect many Maui visitors will not care. Maui is so expensive that I suspect many people have the money to spare.

 

[Luanne]

I would just like to know who is getting the money and how it is being used. My husband's opinion is that some company is coming in and making a pitch to people that they will collect these fees and a [small] percentage will go to the city, or whatever, and the rest will go to this company. In many cases I'm betting the dollars don't stay on island or provide them much benefit. I could be completely wrong and would love for someone to point me to some reliable information showing how much of these fees are benefiting businesses on the islands.

And yes, I would care if I had to pay daily to go to the beach.

 

[bnoble]

You think that a state---an entity capable of collecting taxes, licensing fees, etc. etc.---is incapable of administering one more fee?

 

[Luanne]

You think that a state---an entity capable of collecting taxes, licensing fees, etc. etc.---is incapable of administering one more fee?

If that question was directed at me, it's not whether I think that a state is capable, it is whether the state is the one administering these fees, or is it a private company. Do you have an answer to that?

 

[bnoble]

I think it is very very likely that the state is doing it themselves, just like they do with every other fee they collect. But I don't feel it necessary to look it up for you.

 

[Luanne]

I think it is very very likely that the state is doing it themselves, just like they do with every other fee they collect. But I don't feel it necessary to look it up for you.

No, the state is not doing it themselves. I did look it up, you don't have to do anything for me, include insult me.

Here is some information I found by looking things up myself. This post is actually from a resident on Maui who was responding to the same questions I asked here:

They are the same many of us are asking--and the mayor is noticeably quiet (rare for him).
Paia and Hana are also asking "What about us?", with good cause. Lots of flubber in response, no real answer.
"Park Maui" is a private entity. They already run the Maalaea Harbor lot by the Ocean Center, as I may have mentioned before. The County is going to pay them 3.8 million to "develop" and run the program.
The income will go into a "revolving" County fund. Anyone want to make bets on the likelihood of that money being seen again?

https://mauinow.com/2022/08/27/some-residents-want-pa%ca%bbia-and-hana-on-radar-for-park-mauis-paid-visitor-parking-program/