DLNR HOLDS MEETING TO FORM ADVISORY AD HOC COMMITTEE ON ALA WAI SMALL BOAT HARBOR PARKING PLAN

Honolulu - The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, August 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Jefferson Elementary School Cafeteria in Waikiki, to discuss the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor Parking Plan.

The meeting is the initial step in developing an ad hoc advisory committee that will provide community feedback to DLNR regarding long-term management of the parking areas for Ala Wai SBH.

The formation of the ad hoc committee was proposed by the Board of Land and Natural Resources to assist DLNR's Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation in more effectively managing vehicle parking and public access at its Ala Wai facility. Comment will be invited from harbor residents, boaters, recreational users (surfers, paddlers, etc.), yacht club members, visitor industry members, harbor neighbors, and other facility users.

"The public input from the ad hoc committee being formed will be crucial to the plan's success as DLNR develops its request for proposals for the long term parking plan at Ala Wai," said DLNR Chairperson Laura H. Thielen.

"We welcome all interested parties to attend this meeting and participate in the process of forming the ad hoc advisory committee," she said.

The Board of Land and Natural Resources in May approved a public parking plan that would provide no less than 300 free public parking stalls, set parking meter fees elsewhere in the harbor, and create an ad hoc committee to work with DOBOR to provide input on parking in the Ala Wai small boat harbor.

On August 8, 2008, the BLNR approved DOBOR's request to issue a revocable, 12-month permit to allow a parking vendor to manage the Ala Wai SBH parking areas while the longer-term plan is being developed. That permit should be issued in approximately a month's time.

Over the next 12 months, DOBOR will be developing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a long-term parking plan.

Jefferson Elementary School in located at 324 Kapahulu Avenue in Waikiki. The meeting location (school cafeteria) is disability accessible.

 

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