Get ready to fork over some parking cash if you're a nonresident or wheeling in a commercial vehicle to snag a spot at Hawaii's state parks. According to a recent announcement by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, four more parks are gearing up to charge for parking, with the goal of better the park-going experience and keeping things tidy and flowing smoothly.
While residents get to cling to their wallets with the perk of free parking, the out-of-towners and commercial drivers will be facing fees in the same vein as those at the other ten fee-charging state parks. To ensure the vistas are marred only by natural beauty and not by cars gone rogue, private operators will now be managing the parking crush. Among the parks joining the fee brigade are Wailuku River State Park and Kekaha Kai State Park on Hawaiʻi Island, Wailua River State Park on Kauaʻi, and Puʻu ʻUalakaʻa State Wayside on Oʻahu.
These new systems aren't just about raking in dough; they're intended to serve the higher purpose of keeping the parks spiffy and visitor-friendly. According to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, acting Administrator Alan Carpenter was quoted as saying, "We’re always looking for ways to make our parks more enjoyable for both residents and visitors. These partnerships allow us to provide more consistent visitor management while ensuring that the revenues collected are reinvested directly into our parks." Private companies like Diamond Parking Services LLC and Republic Parking Northwest LLC will take the helm at several park properties.
