Stricter parking controls and other rules might be coming to Hawaii County beach parks under a series of bills proposed Thursday at a County Council committee hearing.
At the newly elected council’s first meeting of its Committee on Health, Safety and Well-Being, Parks and Recreation Director Maurice Messina discussed a trio of bills that he said will better codify the county’s rules governing its beach parks and other park facilities in order to reduce confusion among the public and county staff.
In particular, two of the bills specifically limit how and where vehicles can park at county parks and facilities. Bill 140 explicitly prohibits vehicles from parking or stopping at any park except in places specifically designated for parking, and Bill 141 limits parking of campers and recreational vehicles to only two parks on the island.
“The fact is, it rains on our island, and when people park on the grassy areas after it rains, it tears the grass up,” Messina said, adding that Bill 140, if passed, would be enforced by county staff and the Hawaii Police Department.
Messina said that Parks and Rec could permit exceptions in cases where park attendees hold large events and there is insufficient parking space, but explained that such exceptions would be “a discussion we could have” only after the event organizer applies for a permit for the event.
While Messina said it will not be the county’s policy to tow offending vehicles immediately — “then they don’t have a way to leave,” he said — county staff will defer to police if drivers fail to comply after being asked to move.
Meanwhile, Bill 141 will limit RV parking to just Whittington Beach Park in Naalehu and Spencer Park at ‘Ohai‘ula Beach in Waimea. Messina said Parks and Rec has received complaints from park users at places such as Punalu‘u Beach, where RVs sometimes take up seven parking spots or more.
A third measure, Bill 139, standardizes park hours of operation throughout the county. Under the bill, all beach parks would open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m., and county-managed cemeteries would be open between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Messina said some county parks close at irregular hours, which leads to confusion both among staff and park attendees.
“Now it’s just ‘all beach parks close at 8’ and everyone understands what that means,” said police Officer Matthew Lewis, who added that the irregular hours made it harder for officers to enforce closing times.
The bill also clarifies certain prohibited activities within parks, including the gathering of seashells, sand, flowers, leaves and more, with the exception of collecting those items “in reasonable quantities for personal use.” The measure also would prohibit the affixing of ropes, cords or cables to any plant in order to secure tents, hammocks or similar items.
Council members praised the bills, with Hilo Councilwoman Sue Lee Loy saying they “give back the parks to local users.”
All three bills were unanimously recommended to the full council for passage.
Email Michael Brestovansky at mbrestovansky@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
