Extra Enforcement Sought as Tourism Impacts Are Felt Alongside Hāna Freeway

Tourist congestion on the Hāna Highway June 10, 2021. PC: with kind permission

Hundreds of cars a day on Hāna Hwy

Legislators in the region say more enforcement action is needed to prevent illegal parking on the Hāna Highway as rural residents face an influx of visitors and limited resources.

Shane Sinenci, a councilor for Maui, which includes the H Eastna community in eastern Maui, said illegal parking along the scenic and winding road is the region’s No. 1 complaint regarding the impact of tourism on the rural community is.

“Our small rural town is busy. We don’t have enough public parking for the 400-600 cars a day. Our city center has no sidewalks or crosswalks, so visitors walk on the street, ”he said, noting that most of the food truck stops along the route do not have adequate parking spaces and sanitary facilities for their guests.

Illegal parking along the Hāna Highway June 2021. PC: with kind permission

Additional signs installed, more enforcement sought

Earlier this month, the State Department of Transportation began installing “no parking” signs at several locations along the winding road to East Maui, which reflect a $ 200 surcharge on top of a $ 35 parking violation.

Installation of the signs began on June 10 on the Waikamoi Stream Bridge at Mile 10. Other locations identified for the increased fines include: Waikamoi Stream Bridge; Twin cases; Bamboo forest; Ching pond; Waikani Bridge; Pua’a Ka’a Park; and Hanawī Bridge.

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Sinenci said he believes the signs will deter people parking illegally at scenic and popular stops along the Hāna Highway, but more needs to be done.

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In addition to a surcharge and signage in problem areas, Sinenci said the state Department of Transportation recommended hiring retired police officers to conduct patrols.

“MPD says that Hāna is full because of our population; However, with the additional visitors along the East Maui coast, we will need additional manpower to patrol the 50 mile long road. My office is looking for ways to increase patrol staff either through a budget change or through legislation, ”Sinenci said in an email to Maui Now.

According to Sinenci, the award idea already existed as HRS HB333, but was not implemented.

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“I currently work in the Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization; However, my office has requested additional signage on the Hāna Highway for the past three years to combat illegal parking, identify safe switch areas, signposts prohibiting stopping along the dangerous cliffs (at mile marker 14-15), and deter visitors go to unsafe state land, ”said Sinenci.

Senator Lynn DeCoite, who also represents the district on the state legislature, said, “The Department of Transportation did its part in putting up signs, now with fees. These fees could help pay for the enforcement, really need to be paid back where the county thinks it makes sense to provide more money for the officials …

“There should be more enforcement, and enforcement is on the county side. That’s why I want to encourage that. I would also like to encourage funding for the Maui Wayfinding System so that it can ease traffic – not just for residents, but also for the tourists who come there. As you know, tourism is a big topic for us and our budget for the state of Hawaii. But funding needs to be provided so we can help ease that traffic, ”she said.

Waiʻānapanapa. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Reservations in Waiʻānapanapa have unintended effects on other areas

During the pandemic, lawmakers reassessed the impact of tourism and explored ideas around Traffic management in East Maui. From this discussion, a Reservation system was born, now located in Waiʻānapanapa State Park, which had seen increasingly crowded and commercial tours. Starting March 1, parking and entry fees were introduced for out-of-state visitors and for utility vehicles, requiring visitors to select a time slot to spread the visit over the day.

“The reservation system in Waiʻānapanapa was modeled on the Hāʻena Point of Kauaʻi, where 600 cars hit a dead end and caused a traffic collapse. The system works, but the unintended consequence is that visitors who haven’t made a reservation are turned away and are now visiting other dangerous places like Kaihalulu Beach and Waioka Pond, “Sinenci said.

He said he hoped the National Parks Service in Kīpahulu will also implement a reservation system similar to the Sunrise system already in place at the Haleakal Summit.

Maui’s daily passenger numbers are recovering

As companies continue to recover from the effects of the pandemic, summer travel is returning to pre-pandemic levels, with an average of 7,431 passengers arriving daily on Maui this month. Data from the State Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism shows that the number of passengers on Maui in June (through Jan.

DBEDT has published its statistics and economic report for the second quarter of 2021 and has revised its economic growth forecast for 2021 to 3.5%, compared to 2.7% in February this year.

“We were told that the visitor industry has suffered badly from the pandemic and that it would take several years to recover (industrial people); that didn’t happen. With 80% of the world still not open or still showing COVID-19 clusters, visitors are currently viewing Hawaii as a safe option to visit, ”Sinenci said.

East Maui has the highest vaccination rate in the county

At the beginning of the pandemic, the Hāna highway was closed to non-residential traffic from April to mid-April.July 2020to get a additional protective layer for the isolated community with limited health resources. State Transportation employees took the opportunity to complete major road improvements.

With state health officials continuing to aim for a statewide immunization rate of 70%, East Maui has already exceeded that benchmark. According to the state Department of Health, East Maui currently has the highest vaccination rate in the county of 70.1% +.

“We continue to encourage our East Maui residents to get vaccinated despite some hesitation. Our main goal is to protect our kupuna, who also live in multi-generational households with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, ”said Sinenci. With more contagious variant of the virus, Sinenci said he hoped herd immunity efforts continue.