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Kokua Line
June Watanabe
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Free parking for motorcycles is available
Question:
Is there free parking for motorcycles anywhere in Chinatown?
I think the city should be encouraging people to ride vehicles that take up less parking space.
Alii Place has free motorcycle parking, but it's downtown rather than in Chinatown and the stalls are often full on weekdays. A motorcycle could easily park between metered stalls on the street, but I don't know if that's legal.
Answer: There is free parking for motorcycles in Chinatown, although it's not well publicized.
Under Section 15-23.2A(c) of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, the city director of transportation services "shall designate appropriate portions of each facility listed in subsection (a) for the parking, free of charge, of bicycles, motorcycles, motor scooters, and mopeds."
Subsection (a) lists lots at Alii Place, Harbor Court, Marin Tower, Kukui Plaza, Hale Pauahi, Harbor Village, Chinatown Gateway, Kekaulike Courtyards, Smith-Beretania and Kaimuki.
In the vicinity of Chinatown, city administration spokesman Bill Brennan said there are designated free motorcycle parking spaces (first come, first served) at Chinatown Gateway, 1031 Nuuanu Ave.; Harbor Court, 86 Queen St.; Kekaulike, 1018 Maunakea St.; and Marin Tower, 60 N. Nimitz Highway.
There are no designated stalls for the two-wheelers at Hale Pauahi, 155 N. Beretania St.; Kukui Plaza, 1255 N. Beretania St.; or Smith-Beretania garages, but you can still get in for free, Brennan said.
While those parking facilities do not have a designated area, "if one were to bring a motorcycle there, the driver would not be charged," he said.
"We are in the process of coming up with designated space."
Meanwhile, it is illegal to park between metered stalls, said Honolulu police Sgt. Deric Valoroso.
Doing so would be considered parking "out of stall."
There's also a safety concern.
If a motorcycle is lodged between two cars, it would be difficult for the cars to get out, Valoroso said.
Not only could it lead to a fender-bender, but it's also dangerous because drivers might not be able to see what's behind them, he said.
Mahalo
To two Hawaiian Airlines employees who rescued me from a dreaded long, hot and dangerous jog from the Honolulu Airport exit ramp to baggage claim just before 1 p.m. July 4.
My husband and I realized we had a flat tire on our SUV almost as soon as we heard a "thud" and the wide shoulders leading to the ramp had almost vanished.
We were on our way to pick up my 85-year-old mother, who had flown in from Kauai. She had no cell phone, and it was difficult to find a number to page her.
We called AAA but decided I needed to get to her as soon as possible. Within seconds of my leaving the stranded SUV, Ross and his co-worker pulled up and offered me a ride.
We appreciate their kindness, quick thinking and for salvaging the rest of our day. -- Becky Ashizawa
Got a question or complaint? Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210, Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered. E-mail to
kokualine@starbulletin.com.
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