HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1189

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to public parking at ala wai boat harbor.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the Ala Wai boat harbor serves as a melting pot of culture and activity in the community.  Its ocean legacy is an asset to cultural and recreational practices and water sport opportunities, such as surfing, paddling, fishing, and Hawaii's voyaging traditions.  For many keiki, the Ala Wai boat harbor is their first introduction to canoe paddling, surfing, sailing, boating, and other water activities.

     The department of land and natural resources, through its division of boating and ocean recreation, operates and manages the Ala Wai boat harbor, Kahanamoku lagoon, and the adjacent parking areas.  In 2008, the board of land and natural resources approved the parking plan for the Ala Wai boat harbor, which includes nine hundred forty-one parking stalls, three hundred twelve of which are permit stalls.  The board of land and natural resources reduced the number of free parking stalls from five hundred forty-nine to three hundred by converting free stalls to paid metered stalls.

     Due to immense public opposition to this reduction in the number of free parking stalls, the approved plan requires that no fewer than three hundred free parking stalls be set aside.  The division of boating and ocean recreation's current request for proposals states that the parking plan is subject to change depending on the type and configuration of the new development project for the Ala Wai boat harbor.

     The legislature further finds that the removal of free public parking would adversely restrict access to Hawaii's natural resources for use by the community as the cost of living already puts a tremendous strain on Hawaii's residents and families.  Beyond the addition of fees, there are also the burdens of transporting beach equipment from the proposed parking structure and safety consequences for surfers.  Without free parking at Ala Wai boat harbor, surfers are likely to park at Ala Moana beach park and paddle across the active boat harbor entrance, thus endangering themselves as well as ocean craft.

     Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to ensure access to the ocean for future generations and protect surfers' rights to enter the ocean safely and safeguard access to the lagoon, beach, and harbor waters named after Duke Kahanamoku by requiring the maintenance of three hundred parking stalls at Ala Wai boat harbor at no cost for recreational ocean access and for the practice of traditional and customary Native Hawaiian rights.

     SECTION 2.  Section 200-2.6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§200-2.6[]]  Ala Wai boat harbor; leases.  (a)  The fast lands and submerged lands of the Ala Wai boat harbor that may be leased include the following:

     (1)  All fast lands and submerged lands described in the request for qualifications or request for proposals issued by the division of boating and ocean recreation of the department on November 25, 2008;

     (2)  The fast land described as a portion of tax map key: (1) 2-3-37-12, composed of approximately 112,580 square feet, presently used for harbor offices and permitted vehicular parking; and

     (3)  The fast land described as a portion of tax map key: (1) 2-3-37-12, which is a triangular area located Diamond Head of Mole B, presently used for permitted vehicular parking.

     (b)  Any lease of fast lands and submerged lands of the Ala Wai boat harbor shall provide for the maintenance of at least three hundred public parking stalls at no cost for recreational ocean access and for the practice of traditional and customary Native Hawaiian rights."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Ala Wai Boat Harbor; Public Parking; Free Stalls

 

Description:

Requires the maintenance of at least three hundred parking stalls at Ala Wai boat harbor at no cost for recreational ocean access and for the practice of traditional and customary Native Hawaiian rights.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.