FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                February 1, 2006

ALA WAI PARKING BANNED ON MONDAY AND FRIDAY MORNINGS

            In response to public complaints and environmental concerns about trash along the mauka curb of Ala Wai Boulevard, the City is prohibiting parking along Ala Wai from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. every Monday and Friday, City Facility Maintenance Director Laverne Higa announced.

            “The ban will enable us to get our equipment in to sweep Ala Wai Boulevard,” Higa said. “In past years, parking was banned along the length of Ala Wai during morning rush hour. Our street sweepers would go in and clean the roadway. However, the previous administration carried out a landscaping project along Ala Wai and ended the daily morning parking ban.

            “The continuous presence of vehicles parked along the curb lane prevents us from properly cleaning Ala Wai Boulevard.  Since we took office, we have received numerous complaints from the public about trash along the road. In addition, the buildup of litter often winds up being washed into storm drains or the Ala Wai Canal itself.

            “In the interest of public health and in an effort to comply with federal and state regulations governing storm runoff, we need to be able to get in and clean those areas,” Higa said.   

            The parking restrictions were imposed only after a public notice was published in newspapers, as required by law.

            Signs stating the new parking restrictions were installed along the length of the Ala Wai Canal last week, and the restrictions took effect Monday. Cars parked in the prohibited zone on Monday and Friday mornings are subject to being cited by police and towed away by City contractors.

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Contact:

            Laverne Higa, Director, Department of Facility Maintenance, 692-5054

            Bill Brennan, 527-6928

            Mark Matsunaga, 527-5767