HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-29 Glen Kagamida Opposition Testimony
From: Glen Kagamida
To: Planning WPC Testimony
Subject: BILL 154 COMMERCIAL PARKING
Date: Monday, June 29, 2026 3:28:33 PM
Aloha,
I am writing in opposition to Bill 154, Relating to Commercial Parking Lots and
Garages.
While Bill 154 has merit, I encourage postponement and more deliberation.
If the genesis for Bill 154 is an issue at the Kailua Village Business ImprovementDistrict (Bill 132, withdrawn), why not solve that existing issue first rather thanattempting this one-size-fits-all proposal for the future of the entire island?
Restricting new commercial parking facilities and garages will restrictcompetition and enable the very predatory pricing alleged in Bill 132 (Ban on new paid parking lots mulled, Hawaii Tribune-Herald, May 10). Bill 154 will protect existing “grandfathered” commercial facilities and garages, giving themthe ability to price gouge and may worsen the issue at Kailua Village.
If new facilities and garages cannot charge for parking, they will work the costinto their pricing to every customer. That would penalize customers who arenot "automobile dependent."
Perhaps what is needed are MORE parking facilities and garages. Competitionis known to stabilize or even reduce prices. People may actually prefercommercial parking if there is a good reason to pay, such as security, shade,protection from bad weather or proximity.
If people can go to an area and find parking reasonably fast, that would lessenvehicle circulation and traffic congestion because they wouldn’t be drivingaround looking for parking.
If you want to restrict options and therefore discourage new commercialparking, what is your plan for more public parking? Growth and parking gohand in hand. It’s very difficult to have one without the other. Areas of the island may want more parking facilities and garages, even if commercial.
Mahalo, Glen KagamidaHilo