A Proposal to Increase Parking in Downtown Hilo
Submitted by: Rey Mishina Date: 11/8/11
Display Name: Rey
Category: Development
Tagged: Parking, Downtown revitalization, Transportation
Description: This is a picture of the Bayfront Parking Lot adjacent to the Mo‘oheau Bus Depot. Approximately 17 more parking stalls can be created without building a new parking lot if 1) the existing curb is set back approximately 7-9 feet and 2) the stalls are restriped from angled to perpendicular. Depending on the width needed, several trees may need to be relocated. If the community shows support for this idea, we would like to take another step so this ideas can move forward – please ‘like’ it now!
If the intent of our community is truly to “save” Downtown Hilo, then the addition of adequate parking will help to increase sales for vendors in the area. Additionally, as sales in the area increases, then hopefully, property owners will be encouraged to improve their properties so that they can benefit from increased sales in the area. A side benefit of increased parking at the existing Bayfront lot would be better utilization of an existing area that already has infrastructure in place. This should slow urban sprawl.
This initial step advocated here can be seen as confidence builders with the community and the County government. If supported, the concepts could be implemented in a relatively short period of time and are lower in cost than a new lot, because the County already owns the properties identified and the installation costs are relatively low when compared with the costs of constructing a new parking facility.
There are currently approximately 1,000+- public parking stalls (on street/public parking lots) in Downtown Hilo. Back in 1994, approximately 918 parking meters were removed to keep Downtown competitive with the shopping malls. As we strive for a livable and healthy community, new parking facilities for Downtown Hilo are best developed along the edge of Downtown Hilo to ensure a pedestrian friendly, walkable, and safe environment.
The boundaries of Downtown Hilo are Ponahawai St, Kapi‘olani Street, Wailuku Drive, and Hilo Bayfront. See Downtown map.
What other features would enhance this parking lot?
How do we plan for future parking needs that balance economic vitality with pedestrian and bicycle safety, reduce car traffic, and encourage alternate forms of transportation?
Where along the edge of Downtown are other ideal future locations for environmental-friendly parking lots?
How do we encourage people to park a little further and walk?
Any and all comments would be welcomed as additions to the discussion.
November 8, 2011 (last changed December 8, 2011)
Top Comments
I would like to see more accomodation for non-motorized transport. Also, the parking out by Bayfront could be better utilized if there were regular sampan shuttles running from Banyan Dr. to Downtown, just in a loop. I think Downtown does not need more parking. We need to encourage more walking and get our people more healthy.
I would rather see more bicycle racks to promote a more healthy lifestyle. Expanding existing parking lots to accomodate folks who drive is a good idea. What would be the possibility of creating a free “Sampan” shuttle service through town to accomodate our Kupuna and those with small children or anyone not wishing to walk? Nothing fancy. Possibly an open-air shuttle service around downtown Hilo.
Food for thought. Consider adding more spaces by eliminating the dangerous intersection into the parking lot at Haili Street and route parking oneway in the Hamakua direction. More parking spaces can also be added to the rear of the current bus terminal. This will make the bandstand more accessable for events and activities as it currently is a mudbowl.
The bus terminal should also be moved to the Puna side of Ponohawai Street with sidewalk overhangs . This will enhance the Hilo Bayfront Parking Lot area and the bandstand as well as provide for additional pedestrian safety and security. Although this would require removal of some of the current street parking more parking spaces can be added in this area in and around the coconut trees. Restroom facilities there would also be essential.
I agree with the need to increase parking and like the easy fixes such as this one. . . but let’s make sure to advance strategies that decrease the need for cars in the first place.
Seventeen new spaces is only a start on the parking issue, and is a great start! We still need to deal with employees parking in front of businesses forcing customers to park across Kamehameha in this lot (should be the other way around IMHO).
I think I will reserve my “liking” this until I see more evidence of accomodation for motorcycle and bicycle parking.
There are spaces along the east edge of the Bayfront Hwy along the shoreline. Cars are parked along there with no organization. I have walked from Banyon Dr. down to the old town along that stretch and was forced to walk all the way down to Wailuku Dr. due to a chain link fence that separates the highway from the park and downtown. I had an idea of an overhead footbridge from the bayside parking that went over the highway into old town. Suppose that would be too expensive! Couldn’t there be more gates along the chain link fence that would allow a walker access to more of the town? Suppose it is a safety issue.
Every stall i Downtown is valuable. Adding more in the 8hour area is essential for emplyees and vendors to free up the street stalls.
I would like to see more accomodation for non-motorized transport. Also, the parking out by Bayfront could be better utilized if there were regular sampan shuttles running from Banyan Dr. to Downtown, just in a loop. I think Downtown does not need more parking. We need to encourage more walking and get our people more healthy.
I would rather see more bicycle racks to promote a more healthy lifestyle. Expanding existing parking lots to accomodate folks who drive is a good idea. What would be the possibility of creating a free “Sampan” shuttle service through town to accomodate our Kupuna and those with small children or anyone not wishing to walk? Nothing fancy. Possibly an open-air shuttle service around downtown Hilo.
Great idea, Rey. Sounds like a good starting place, and should be fairly “painless” to do.
Even with only 70 stalls at Ponahawai it would still be a great addition.
The stalls should be regular sized and not compact.
Sounds like a great idea,parking in Downtown Hilo is terrible !! Downtown Hilo is the Heart and Soul of Hilo and anything that we can do to encourage business will profit our Town in general.
Food for thought. Consider adding more spaces by eliminating the dangerous intersection into the parking lot at Haili Street and route parking oneway in the Hamakua direction. More parking spaces can also be added to the rear of the current bus terminal. This will make the bandstand more accessable for events and activities as it currently is a mudbowl.
The bus terminal should also be moved to the Puna side of Ponohawai Street with sidewalk overhangs . This will enhance the Hilo Bayfront Parking Lot area and the bandstand as well as provide for additional pedestrian safety and security. Although this would require removal of some of the current street parking more parking spaces can be added in this area in and around the coconut trees. Restroom facilities there would also be essential.
I agree with the need to increase parking and like the easy fixes such as this one. . . but let’s make sure to advance strategies that decrease the need for cars in the first place.
Great idea Rey…
Seventeen new spaces is only a start on the parking issue, and is a great start! We still need to deal with employees parking in front of businesses forcing customers to park across Kamehameha in this lot (should be the other way around IMHO).
This is the most practical idea among the group that doesn’t benefit a chosen few. The farmer’s market ideas should start with the market making an effort first.
The concept makes sense and we should pursue this development. Downtown Hilo is considered a retail destination competing with other locations within East Hawaii. Customer parking (accessbility)is a basic requirement.
Thank you…an easy fix…let’s do it!
This is a great idea. Parking is hard to come by in Downtown Hilo. Increasing parking will bring more people to the businesses which in turn brings more money. If parking is not put in first then there is no sense in revitalising the businesses because you will still get the same amount of business because the parking situation was not dealt with first.