State cancels Paia PAIA, Maui >> State Transportation Director Brian Minaai has backed off imposing a parking ban along a section of Paia, following public criticism and a court challenge by the town's merchants.
parking ban
Merchants in the area want
an assurance that the
cancellation will be permanentBy Gary T. Kubota
gkubota@starbulletin.comState transportation spokeswoman Marilyn Kali said yesterday the department is taking another look at the issue to determine if it should move forward with the ban.
The state wanted to start today banning parking from 4 to 6 p.m. on the mauka side of Hana Highway between Charley P. Woofer Saloon and the Shell gasoline station.
State highways officials wanted to use the parking spaces to add a lane through the town during rush hour because of increasing traffic.
But merchants said the ban on 23 parking stalls during peak business hours would severely cut revenues, perhaps to the point of putting some of them out of business.
Merchants said they were happy about the cancellation of the parking ban but wary that the state might try to implement it later. Association official Kathy Barr said the merchants planned to hold a demonstration this afternoon to show there is backing for their position in the community and also to express their gratitude for the support.
Merchants attorney Mary Cochran said the association has not received assurances in writing and plans to obtain a preliminary injunction to halt the parking ban.
A hearing before Maui Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza on the injunction starts at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow.
Cochran said if the association receives written assurance the state will not go forward with the ban, she will file a motion to withdraw the complaint.
Cochran said she was happy that transportation officials responded favorably to the criticism. She also was happy about the amount of support the association received from elected officials, including Lt. Gov. Maizie Hirono.
"It's sure a positive feeling to know we can hold government accountable," Cochran said.
Kali said she does not know how long the review by Minaai will take or if the state plans to fight the Paia Merchants Association's lawsuit to halt the parking ban.
State Sen. J. Kalani English (D, Wailuku-Upcountry Maui) was planning to meet with Gov. Ben Cayetano today and ask him to call off the parking ban.
English said he had spoken with the state administration about developing a long-range plan for Paia, including a bypass road.
English said in the past, some merchants opposed the road around Paia. But he said there now appears to be a consensus to support it.