'Locals Only' Beach Parking on Maui?

Maui County is moving to implement a new parking asset management program called PARK MAUI. The program focuses on tackling various issues associated with the confluence of cars, visitors, and limited space that have long troubled the island. Still, lately, one particular move has been getting extra attention. Officials recently announced a plan to introduce locals-only hours for parking at certain beach parks in Maui, and Kamaole Beach Park and Ulua Beach have been named so far.

This is an apparent expansion on the already-announced plan to only charge parking fees to non-residents. Now it seems that Maui residents - meaning those with a valid Hawaii driving license who register with the program - will not only be exempt from parking fees, but they will also have a 3-hour window each day where they are the only ones allowed to park at all. 

A consultant from PARK MAUI was recently quoted by Hawaii News Now saying that it is yet to be decided whether such privileges will be granted to all Hawaii residents or just Maui residents. Either way, the fees, which may range from $10 to $30 per vehicle, and the daily periods of restricted entry, which will likely be from 7 AM to 10 AM, will apply to the vast majority of people who visit Maui’s beaches on any given day.