We, the undersigned residents and supporters of Kailua Village are united in our concern regarding the rapid proliferation of paid parking lots in our community, which has displaced the majority of free parking options downtown. This change has injured our quality of life and the vitality of our downtown district. The rapid rise of paid parking has had a significant negative impact on our community and we urge you to act swiftly and decisively to address it.

Just two years ago, most of the parking in Kailua Village was free. Parking lots were full of tourists and locals alike, patronizing the many wonderful downtown businesses and allowing the public easy access to the shoreline.

In recent years, paid parking has become a significant barrier for countless people wishing to access our downtown area and its shores. Unreasonably high parking rates, as high as $25 per hour, and a lack of alternative public parking options have led to a substantial decline in foot traffic, patronage and economic activity.

Locals regularly voice that they “never go downtown anymore,” due to parking woes. Small business owners and their employees have been detrimentally impacted, which threatens their ability to provide for their families, patronize other local businesses and continue operating.

Tourists regularly complain to local businesses operators and on social media about the skyrocketing parking rates in Kona. Some tourists have vowed they will never return to the Big Island due to “price gouging” in downtown Kona. If left unchecked, this situation will not only turn
our downtown district into a ghost town, but will also create long-term negative consequences for every sector of our economy island wide.
In addition to the financial harm that the proliferation of paid parking lots has inflicted upon our community, it has also negatively impacted the quality of life of our residents, who are being
denied coastline access.

Historically, the public has had full access to the downtown’s shoreline
to enjoy recreational activities like paddling, fishing and swimming. The elimination of nearly every free lot in downtown Kona has diminished public access to the shoreline, hurting the way of life of our people.