Question: AMPCO Parking Systems recently started to charge $50 a month for employee motorcycle parking at Honolulu Airport. I never had to pay for motorcycle parking before. I already pay for parking my car there so I have a pass. Although I'm OK with paying a little during these hard times, $50 is way too much for a bike. I also think it's not right to double charge us for car parking and motorcycle parking. I ride my motorcycle on sunny days, but drive a car on rainy days. Has the state authorized AMPCO to charge motorcycles? If I pay for a stall, who cares if I park a car or a bike? The state keeps saying it wants to reduce our fuel consumption, then turns around and makes it so we have to pay for motorcycles.

Answer: The state Department of Transportation instituted the new motorcycle parking system for employees, but you won't have to pay twice for your parking space any longer.

“;It was definitely a mistake on our end”; to charge a double fee, said transportation spokeswoman Tammy Mori.

She acknowledged officials hadn't taken into account the handful of employees who had a car but also sometimes rode motorcycles to work.

“;Because of the designated stalls, (motorcycles) no longer could park in the vehicle stalls,”; Mori said. “;It should have been worked out earlier, but it has been worked out now.”;

A “;couple”; had paid for both a monthly motorcycle pass and a monthly vehicle pass before the mistake was discovered, she said.

Asked if the employees who paid double would get a refund, Mori said she expected that something would be worked out.

Regarding never having to pay to park your motorcycle before, Mori said motorcycles have always been required to pay, “;since they too would occupy a vehicle stall.”;

But many motorcyclists, “;probably unknowingly of the requirements, would just bypass the parking arm,”; she said.

There was no way previously to enforce or monitor motorcycle parking, Mori said.

The new system and signs, instituted May 1, “;eliminate any confusion”; and allow those with the two-wheelers to pay a lesser rate than other vehicles.

The charge for motorcycle parking is $50 a month or $2 a day, while those with cars pay $10 a day or $125 to $175 a month, depending on the parking location, Mori said.

You will get a special decal for your motorcycle that allows you to park in a vehicle stall.

The motorcycle rates also will apply to the general public, Mori said.

Auwe

To a large group of people watching the Fourth of July parade on North Kainalu Drive in Kailua who did nothing to stop the out-of-line behavior of the teenagers with them. The teenagers began by throwing poppers at a group of horses, as well as at people marching by. Several children were part of the parade, passing out candy. The teenagers threw the candy back at them. They attempted to throw more poppers at another group of horses and were confronted by someone in the group. While this was going on, all the adults at the house said nothing to the teens. My wife spoke to one of the adults and he simply said, “;They're not my kids,”; and turned away. This went on for an hour or so before one woman meekly told one of the boys to pick up the candy. Shame on all of them! — Brian Ladden, Connecticut

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