PARK MAUI Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What is the PARK MAUI project?

PARK MAUI is a parking management program that strives to implement data-driven solutions for parking at beach parks, in business districts, and on streets throughout our island’s most heavily utilized areas.

What are the goals of the PARK MAUI program?

The goals of the PARK MAUI project are as follows:

Improve access to beach parks for residents as a free recreational experience
Improve turnover of cars on-street to increase access to businesses in town
Create affordable long-term parking options for employees
Prevent spillover of business parking into residential neighborhoods
Improve safety in parking areas and neighborhood business districts
Generate revenue to maintain parking operations, educate visitors, offer public transit alternatives, and protect sensitive cultural and environmental sites.

What is the current status of the project?

As of the latest update, the PARK MAUI program is in the final stages of development and is awaiting review by the Maui County Council. Once the Maui County Council reviews the recommendations for the PARK MAUI project, they will decide whether to approve the program or make any necessary amendments. Upon approval by the Maui County Council, the PARK MAUI project will be implemented.

The exact timeline for the Maui County Council's review of the PARK MAUI program recommendations may vary. However, efforts are being made to ensure a thorough review process, taking into account the input of stakeholders and community members and recommendations by parking consultants. Updates regarding the timeline will be communicated as they become available.

When and why did the County decide to do this PARK MAUI program?

The PARK MAUI program aims to address parking challenges and improve the overall parking experience for residents and visitors in Maui County. It seeks to implement effective parking management strategies, increase parking availability, enhance accessibility to popular destinations, and alleviate congestion in high-demand areas.

In 2014, the County of Maui began researching ways to manage congestion in Wailuku and Lahaina, but during the pandemic the scope of that research grew to include popular tourist destinations like beaches and cultural parks.

In the fall of 2022 the County Council adopted changes to Title 10 to allow the County to charge for parking and authorizing parking ambassadors to facilitate parking operations. They also created a Revolving Fund for parking revenue.

In 2018, the County of Maui Department of Public Works, in conjunction with the Department of Planning, commissioned Dixon Resources Unlimited to examine and recommend parking solutions for Lahaina Town and Wailuku Town. This Parking Action Plan addressed the unique parking and mobility challenges that each town faces.

Fast forward to today, and the County of Maui, through its PARK MAUI program, aims to bring about positive changes and improvements to parking systems on Maui. This effort includes introducing new policies, guidelines, and initiatives to enhance parking availability, management, and accessibility.

The parking locations that have been identified for the pilot phase are:

• Wailuku Town: Off-street parking lots (Wailuku Garage & ‘Iao Theater lot)
• Ulua/Mokapu Beach parking lot
• Kamaole Beach Parks I, II, & III parking lots

Who oversees the PARK MAUI program?

Parking is a key element of the overall transportation system, so the PARK MAUI parking management will primarily be the responsibility of the Maui Department of Transportation (MDOT). This department will contract with experienced vendors to provide the hardware, software, staffing, and services.

The parking operator, Diamond Parking, will essentially serve as the County’s “Parking Department” to provide a comprehensive set of services including customer support, parking compliance monitoring, revenue collections and counting, installation and maintenance, and other related services.

What are the paid parking rates and how are they set?

Ulua and the Kamaole Parks were chosen as very busy beach locations with different demographics and mix of users. Throughout the pilot phase occupancy data will be captured to plan for improvements and possible future locations.

Click here for proposed parking fees and permits (by location), subject to Maui County Council approval.

Are entry fees charged at beaches in addition to parking fees?

No. The County of Maui does not charge entry fees at beaches.

Will employee parking be offered at PARK MAUI locations?

Yes, the PARK MAUI program will offer employees convenient, accessible, and affordable parking options at designated locations. In Wailuku, Wells Street, ‘Iao Theater Parking lot and the new Wailuku Garage will be utilized.

The proposed rate for an employee parking permit is $30 per month. A low-income rate option of $10 per month will also be offered for those who qualify. Location and rates are subject to Maui County Council approval.

Where will the funds from the PARK MAUI program go?

Paid parking and parking permit revenue will be deposited into a parking revenue fund. This will be a revolving fund with the purpose of providing funding for the County’s parking operation including maintenance, repair, security, safety, improvement, equipment, beautification, staffing, and other costs related to providing County parking services. Once those costs have been fully met, any surplus monies within the fund may also be applied towards the maintenance of County parks, transportation programs or infrastructure, business district management, and cultural and environmental sites.

Will there be any public announcement or notification when the PARK MAUI program goes into effect?

Yes, once the PARK MAUI program is approved and ready to be implemented, there will be a public announcement to inform the community about its launch. This announcement will include program highlights, implementation date, and any necessary instructions for residents, part-time and non-residents to adapt to the new parking regulations.

Please note that the information provided is based on the latest available update, and any changes or updates to the PARK MAUI program will be communicated through public announcements on this website, in the press, social media, and via email to those who signed up to be kept in the loop.

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how it works

Will I be able to pay for parking using a mobile phone?

In addition to the pay stations, a mobile payment application will also be offered as a payment option at all PARK MAUI locations.

You will be able to start a parking session, register your license plate and/or pay a fee from your phone. You can even opt to get notified by text when your parking session is about to expire and extend your parking time.

In locations where parking sessions may be extended, the mobile application can provide the option to extend the session remotely.

What type of parking equipment will the PARK MAUI program use?

The County is partnering with Flowbird to provide pay stations for all on-street and off-street paid parking locations, as well as to build a mobile app to manage your parking sessions. You will be able to start a parking session, register your license plate or pay a fee from your phone. You can even opt to get notified by text when your parking session is about to expire and extend your parking time.

What types of payment will the parking equipment accept?

The Flowbird parking equipment used for the PARK MAUI program is designed to accept a variety of payment methods for convenience. The accepted payment options may include major credit cards ( Visa, Mastercard, American Express) and mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay)

It's important to note that the specific payment methods available for the PARK MAUI program may vary based on the implementation and customization preferences. You will be informed about the accepted payment options at the time of parking

Why is a Hawaii Driver’s License required for proof of residency?

To ensure a streamlined and efficient process, the system for PARK MAUI requires users to provide proof of residency by scanning the back of their Hawaii State Driver's License on pay station equipment. Information that the reputable pay station operator, Flowbird, receives will remain confidential and will not be shared.

How will paid parking at these PARK MAUI locations be enforced?

The operator, Diamond Parking, will provide Parking Ambassador staff to enforce parking regulations at all PARK MAUI locations. Importantly, this will be a customer service-based program that prioritizes education and compliance.

Parking Ambassadors will be customer service agents and will proactively assist patrons with following the rules. Parking Ambassadors will use handheld devices to issue warning notices and parking citations. Additionally, their vehicles will be equipped with license plate recognition technology to maximize efficiency and collect ongoing parking data.

The Maui Police Department will be partnering with Diamond Parking to patrol parking areas, encourage compliance and enforce parking violations. All parking citations will continue to follow the parameters of the Maui County Code and be handled by State of Hawaii judiciary.

Am I eligible for the Disabled Paid Parking Exemption Permit (green placard)?

You are eligible if you have a valid driver’s license and your physician/APRN certifies your mobility disability and that due to a disability you:

Cannot reach above the applicant’s head to a height of 42 inches from the ground due to a lack of finger, hand, or upper extremity strength or mobility; or
Cannot approach a parking meter due to the use of a wheelchair or other mobility device; or
Cannot manage, manipulate, and insert coins, bills, or cards in a parking meter or pay station due to a lack of fine motor control in both hands.

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location

What locations will PARK MAUI be implemented?

PARK MAUI will be implemented in phases. In the Pilot phase the following parking locations will be addressed:

Wailuku Town: Off-street parking lots (Wailuku Garage & ‘Iao Theater lot)
Ulua/Mokapu Beach parking lot
Kamaole Beach Parks I, II, & III parking lots

Why were these specific parking locations chosen for the Pilot phase?

There are different parking challenges within small town areas compared with County park and beach lots. The initial pilot locations were selected to evaluate the PARK MAUI program in both types of environments. Wailuku Town was evaluated previously as part of the 2018 Parking Action Plan and both locations face parking management challenges that will be alleviated by the PARK MAUI program.

Will other areas on Maui be considered for this program?

Yes, after the Pilot program, the County will be looking at other island locations where parking solutions need to be addressed. Each location will be evaluated by the parking team and location specific advisory groups to determine appropriate policies, assess equipment type, quantities and placement, and identify site-specific considerations. This process will involve stakeholder outreach to ensure that the solutions address the needs of the community.

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frequently
asked questions

General Questions

Got a question on the PARK MAUI project? Please contact us.

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how it works

Got a question on the PARK MAUI project? Please contact us.

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location

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frequentlyasked questions

General Questions

Got a question on the PARK MAUI project? Please contact us.

‍

how it works

Got a question on the PARK MAUI project? Please contact us.

‍

location

Got a question on the PARK MAUI project? Please contact us.

‍

STAY IN THE LOOP

frequently
asked questions

STAY IN
THE LOOP