To address a longtime problem, the Hawai‘i County Council on Tuesday will discuss a new bill that would regulate rates charged at private parking facilities in Historic Kailua Village.
For years, business owners and residents in downtown Kona have been advocating for relief from the economic hardship they say is caused by the exorbitant parking rates, which now range from $9 to $21 an hour, although some lots offer free time or discounted prices for residents.
Council Member Rebecca Villegas, who introduced Bill 132 after working with advocates for the village, said Sunday: “Consumers are asking for protection from price gouging and requirements to provide government ID information. The intention of this legislation is to create legal parameters around the paid parking protocols in Kailua Village, thus protecting consumers, tenants and our fragile small business economy.”…