Ala Wai Boat Harbor users challenge parking rules, towing, signage

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Frustration over towing practices and confusing parking rues at Ala Wai Boat Harbor boiled over Friday as residents, surfers and boaters voiced concerns.

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The discussion centered on the state’s parking management contract and ongoing complaints that the harbor has become a tow-away zone for both locals and visitors.

Public testimony highlighted concerns over what many described as harsh enforcement practices, unclear signage and overnight parking restrictions.

“It would be better if DLNR and HPD came up with a way to monitor and hand out tickets as a warning before the car gets towed,” local surfer Soloman Kawamae said.

Hawaii’s largest small boat harbor contains roughly 900 parking stalls and serves boaters, surfers, fishermen and recreational users.

Parking issues have been a long-running source of tension at the harbor, with thousands of vehicles being towed in recent years.

State testimony previously noted that 2,512 vehicles were towed from Ala Wai Boat Harbor in 2024 alone.

State officials defended the current contract, saying there is misinformation surrounding enforcement procedures.

Meghan Statts with the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation said the state’s new license plate recognition system requires two warnings before a vehicle can be towed.

“There’s this misinformation of the fact that our parking vendor is going to continue towing immediately when somebody is in violation,” Statts said during Friday’s meeting.

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The license plate recognition system was approved by the land board last year in response to mounting complaints over immediate towing practices. State officials say the technology is intended to provide additional warnings and improve parking compliance.

A major point of contention remains the harbor’s overnight parking restrictions. According to state officials, many tows occur within areas that are closed to parking between 10:30 p.m. and 4:30 a.m.

Honolulu resident Arlen Flanagan said some drivers may not realize they are violating the rules until it is too late.

“You go out to the yacht club, have a drink, get carried away, and next thing you know, you go to get into your car and your car’s not there,” Flanagan said.

Others argued that the signage itself contributes to the confusion.

“The signage is horrendous,” Flanagan added. “The signs are all sun bleached. They’re hard to read.”

However, not everyone agreed. Local surfer Ken Ueda said the rules are clearly posted and believes some drivers simply fail to pay attention.

“People are kind of just neglecting what signage is here,” Ueda said.

Land board members also suggested the state consider alternative parking management systems, including smartphone-based registration programs that would allow users to enter their license plate information, pay electronically and receive notifications before violations occur.

Legislation passed this year also calls for continued planning and public input regarding the future of the state’s small boat harbors.

For now, state officials say parking operations remain under review as harbor users continue pushing for clearer rules and less punitive enforcement.

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