Hawaii County committee advances bill to change parking rules on Aliʻi Drive after debate over outreach and safety

The Hawaii County Policy Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit voted to forward Bill 129 to the full County Council with a favorable recommendation after a brief debate over community outreach and pedestrian safety.

Chair Eustace opened the committee at 11:33 a.m. at the West Hawaii Civic Center and the clerk read the bill, which would amend the Hawaii County Code (chapter 24, article 10, division 5, section 24-280, Schedule 28) to alter a “no parking at any time” designation and permit parking at certain portions of Aliʻi Drive fronting Kaluʻu Beach Park.

Director Segawa of the Department of Public Works told the committee the administration needed more time to review the draft and to reach out to residents. “I’m coming before the council members today to request your indulgence to give the administration a little more time, to review this particular bill,” Segawa said, adding that staff want to solicit community input before the council acts.

Some council members favored advancing the item while staff conducts outreach. Councilmember Connie Lee Kleinfelder said forwarding the measure would keep the process moving while giving the department time to gather feedback. Councilmember Onishi moved to postpone the item to the committee’s March 17, 2026 meeting; that postponement motion was seconded and debated.

Councilmember Kurkowitz opposed the postponement, arguing the administration should have completed necessary due diligence before bringing the bill to committee. The committee then heard a technical explanation from Aaron Takaba, division chief at the county traffic division, about the safety rationale behind the measure. “This bill is related to a section of Aliʻi Drive at Kaluʻu Beach Park where the shoulder is narrower,” Takaba said. “The concerns in that area are that pedestrians — there’s a safety concern with the pedestrians having to walk in the roadway when the cars are parked too close to the road.”

The committee held a roll-call vote on the postponement motion. The clerk recorded votes as follows: Galimba — Aye; Inaba — Absent; Kaguada/Kaguewada — No; Connie Lee Kleinfelder — No; Kurkowitz — No; Kimball — No; Onishi — Aye; Villegas — Absent; Chair Eustace — Aye. The clerk reported the motion failed with three in favor, four opposed and two absent.

After the failed postponement, the committee returned to the original motion to forward Bill 129. Director Segawa reiterated that staff would continue outreach and that the ordinance would have two subsequent readings, allowing further public input and technical refinement. The committee then voted to forward the bill to the full County Council with a favorable recommendation; the clerk announced seven in favor and two absent.

The committee adjourned at 11:41 a.m.; the chair noted the next committee session was scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m.

What happens next: Bill 129 will go to the full Hawaii County Council for consideration; because it is in its first reading, the administration and council members have additional opportunities to collect community input and make amendments before final votes.