Maui will start charging visitors $10 a day to park at certain South Maui beaches in an early‑2026 pilot, a move county officials say is meant to give residents more reliable access to crowded shorelines. The Park Maui pilot will focus first on Kihei’s Kamaʻole Beach Parks I, II and III, where weekend parking has become highly competitive. Hawaiʻi driver's‑license holders will get free parking and a morning priority window; non‑residents will be allowed to park after 10 a.m. on weekends and county holidays by paying the flat daily fee. County leaders say revenue from the program will be used to maintain restrooms, lifeguards and other beach services.
Pilot details: where, who pays and when
Bill 79 would formally create the Park Maui pilot, setting a $10 daily flat fee for non‑resident visitors while guaranteeing Hawaiʻi residents free access and priority before 10 a.m. on weekends and county holidays, as reported by Maui Now. The pilot's first phase centers on Kamaʻole I, II and III in Kihei. Maui officials say the rollout is targeted for early 2026 once permitting and app testing are complete.
How it will work: app, kiosks and ambassadors
County materials describe a system based on a Park Maui mobile app and on‑site pay stations where drivers can scan a Hawaiʻi driver’s license to confirm residency, with parking ambassadors on hand during an initial education period, according to the county's Park Maui website. The plan calls for pay stations, a digital pass option and staff to help manage turnover at busy lots. Officials say the technology is intended to speed payments and reduce the time cars spend circling for spots.
Council action and what’s next
Local reporting and the Park Maui site trace the proposal through committee votes; Beat of Hawaii notes that Bill 79 cleared a first reading in August and was revised to align with fiscal‑year budget items. Final approvals, kiosk installation and app testing will determine the precise start date for enforcement, Beat of Hawaii adds.
What residents and visitors are saying
Supporters say the morning priority window will let local families reclaim long‑used beach time, while critics worry paid parking may push visitors to smaller, unstaffed lots or add another cost to already expensive trips, as noted by Maui Now. Council members have asked whether paid parking should be paired with expanded transit or shuttle service to reduce car demand. Local business owners and operators say the change could shift where people spend their days and dollars.
Legal and enforcement basics
The Park Maui site and committee reports say enforcement will be phased: ambassadors will educate at first, then citations and possible impoundment could follow for violations once systems are operational. Park Maui also indicates parking‑zone maps and ordinances will formalize where rules apply and the penalties available.
How to plan a 2026 visit
For visitors, weekdays should remain the easiest time to visit and arriving after 10 a.m. on weekends will avoid the visitor pass requirement; travelers should watch Park Maui for app launch and registration dates before booking. Beat of Hawaii recommends checking the county site for up‑to‑date maps and the timing of enforcement. Those who want to avoid parking uncertainty should consider hotel shuttles, rideshares or beaches with larger free lots until the pilot settles into a routine.
