Loss of bus stop riles some residents

A petition demanded more parking spaces on Malia Street

Some Waialae residents who live near Malia Street are protesting the loss of a bus stop to make room for more parking.

But the removal of the bus stop is due, in part, to a petition drive by the residents to restore parking lost when the Kahala Nui senior living facility was built two years ago.

Residents had circulated a petition that demanded the city re-establish precious public parking on the makai side of Malia Street between Hoakoa and Makaikoa streets.

To restore as much parking as possible, the city is eliminating one of three bus stops on Malia Street. Malia Street has two other stops, on the ends of the street. The elimination of the bus stop is also in line with the city's plans to streamline bus operations.

Ainakoa resident Gerri Digmon, a member of the neighborhood board, said several older bus-catching women have asked her about the bus stop removal.

"I don't know how the bus stop came into play because it's way on the other end of where we're talking about," Digmon said.

Once the covered bus stop is torn down, the city will begin adding about 27 stalls to replace about 28 removed when Kahala Nui was built in 2004.

As far as the bus stop being torn down, "apparently there is nothing that can be done," Malia Street resident Lance Tom said last night. He said he was informed the demolition was already set.

Tom said all he and other residents wanted was to restore the parking in front of Kahala Nui so users of Wilson Community Park would not park in front of their homes.