Penalized for parking
in Waikiki

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Ask the next 10 residents you see why they don't go to Waikiki and chances are that nine will reply: parking. It's hard to come by and expensive.

A few days ago, we decided to forget the parking frustrations of the past and went to Waikiki for dinner. We parked next to a meter that did not specify the hours of enforcement. I deposited all my coins, which gave us two hours and 15 minutes of parking time.

We had a wonderful visit with friends and a fantastic meal. Upon returning to the car, seven minutes after our time on the meter had expired, we found a ticket on the windshield. The cost of the ticket would be $30 or $55, depending on how promptly I paid it.

That leisurely drink, slow dinner service and a lengthy good night was costly. It also raised a question: Why should parked cars be ticketed on the weekend after 9 p.m.?

Honolulu is spending tens of thousands of dollars to attract residents to Waikiki. Late-night parking tickets won't help.

--Don Kendall

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