The Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission voted unanimously Thursday to defer consideration of a bill banning new paid parking lots on the island after hearing input from the planning director and co-author of the measure.

Commissioner JoNelle Fukushima motioned for the deferral, saying it would give the body time to “allow us to do further research.” The vote was 6-0 in support with Commissioner Kanoe Wilson absent and excused.

Bill 154 would prohibit the opening of commercial parking lots and garages in a long list of land zoning categories, including general, village commercial, industrial-commercial mixed, limited industrial and general industrial, as well as in the Downtown Hilo Commercial District.

This would outlaw the practice of charging fees for use of privately operated parking services, except at commercial lots opened and operating before the bill’s passage. These formerly established lots would effectively be “grandfathered” in under the law and be allowed to continue functioning and charging drivers under “nonconforming use” rules.

According to the legislation’s text, paid parking lots “contribute to additional vehicle circulation, traffic congestion and land use patterns that are inconsistent with the county’s planning objectives, including the efficient use of land for housing, agriculture and community benefit.”

It distinguishes between publicly owned paid parking facilities and private ones, stating the former are operated for public purposes, providing access to government services and supporting policy-based transportation goals, while being subject to public planning and oversight.

The County Council’s Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use and Economic Development voted 6-3 on May 4 to refer the bill to the planning director and dual planning commissions for review. Hilo Councilman Dennis Onishi, Hilo Councilwoman Jenn Kagiwada and Ka‘u Councilwoman Michelle Galimba cast the three “no” votes.

The Planning Department has weighed in on the proposal, offering support for its encouragement of “efficient land use patterns” and reduction of “automobile dependency.” The department also praised how the bill would limit the expansion of large paved surfaces, which would “reduce impervious surface coverage, stormwater runoff and urban heat island effects.”

However, its recommendation report did suggest two exceptions to the ban: retain commercial parking lots as a permitted use within the Downtown Hilo Commercial District, and allow lots to operate in the Resort-Hotel District with a required Use Permit. The report explains that the need for this downtown Hilo carve-out comes from its “concentration of historic structures developed prior to modern parking standards,” which the department claims limits opportunities for on-site parking due to “constrained lot sizes and established development patterns.”

This concern is echoed in written testimony submitted to Thursday’s meeting by the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii, which said the bill could have “unintended consequences” for downtown Hilo and other commercial areas, and could “harm the economic interests of our members and residents.”

During the meeting, Commissioner Thomas Fratinardo asked Planning Director Jeff Darrow if he had read the submitted testimony and would like to offer a rebuttal.

”Yes, I have,” Darrow said. “Basically, that’s one of the reasons why we’re making the adjustments allowing commercial parking lots in downtown Hilo. Downtown Hilo does not have your typical requirements for onsite parking, whereas all the other districts do.”

County Council Chair Holeka Inaba attended the meeting via Zoom and recounted Bill 154’s backstory to commissioners. Inaba explained how the measure was an offshoot of fellow council member Rebecca Villegas’s push to rein in what she described as out-of-control parking fees at private lots in Kailua Village. Her initial efforts took the form of Bill 132, which died in committee in mid-May. Inaba admitted to commissioners that the previous bill “couldn’t proceed without causing some potential harm to the county in the future” in the form of lawsuits brought by lot operators claiming their property rights were being violated.

Saying he initially didn’t want to “piecemeal out different district areas,” the chair eventually accepted that certain exemptions — like those for downtown Hilo called for in written testimony — were needed.

However, he said the spirit of the bill remains the same — a long-term vision preventing Kailua Village’s parking woes from being exported into other Hawaii Island communities.

“Overall, what we’re trying to do here is prevent any future commercial paid parking,” he said. “It might exist in certain pockets in different districts of this island, but whether you’re thinking of Kohala or Pahoa or Pahala, thinking 20 years, 30 years down the line, (we’re) wanting to ensure that we require, first of all, development to have adequate parking, and that that parking be free. We don’t want to see the situation that’s happening down in Kailua-Kona happening elsewhere on the island.”

Email Stefan Verbano at stefan.verbano@hawaiitribune-herald.com.

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Various celebrations — beyond the usual fireworks and barbecues — marked the U.S.’s 250th anniversary on Independence Day.

From regatta to an annual Japanese tradition on Oʻahu, here’s four other events that took place on this July 4.

84th Regatta

To start off the morning, the 84th Walter J. Macfarlane Memorial Canoe Regatta was held at Waikiki Beach.

“Today there’s a swell. It’s not huge, but it’s not flat, so I mean it’s like a perfect requirement day, there’s excitement, there’s enough activity to keep it, first the variable, and keep everybody on their toes, and it makes for close races,” said Jim Foti with the Lanikai Canoe Club.

Canoe paddlers of all ages hit the water for a full day of racing.

“We have had some really fun races this morning,” said Siana Austin Hunt, president of the Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association. “Our kids did really well. We also had some great finishes with a lot of crews finishing on the same wave.”

The regatta is a tradition that is recognized as the longest-running outrigger canoe races in the world.

America250

Kapiolani Park served as the backdrop for America’s once-in-a-lifetime celebration commemorating 250 years. The free event brought families together for food, music, performances and special recognition for our military and veterans.

“There’s a lot of people that’s been going around the different booths and the different venues and enjoying themselves, listening to the music every hour on the hour, and at the same time they’re looking at some of the auditory, tasting the various different types of food, and just enjoying yourself and relaxing,” said Lynn Mariano, commissioner of Hawaii America250 Commission.

La Hoʻihoʻi Ea

While many celebrated Independence Day, others gathered at Iolani Palace to reflect on a different perspective of Hawaiʻi’s history into statehood.

The event highlighted La Hoʻihoʻi Ea, or Sovereignty Restoration Day, which commemorates the history of the Hawaiian Kingdom and encouraged a discussion about Hawaiian sovereignty and self-determination.

“We’re here to reclaim our place to retell our stories and to resound the message of Hawaiian sovereignty restoration,” said Imai Winchester, lead organizer for La Hoʻihoʻi Ea.

The free event included cultural performances, music, educational exhibits, speakers and family activities. It was the first of a month-long series of events that will lead up to a celebration on July 26 at Thomas Square.

Organizers said it’s an opportunity to learn, reflect and celebrate Hawaiian identity.

Mōʻiliʻili Summer Fest

An annual Japanese tradition fell on the 4th of July this year. The popular Mōʻiliʻili Summer Fest drew in thousands to the Old Varsity Theater parking lot on University Avenue.

Now in its 13th year, the event prides itself on having one of Honolulu’s largest bon dances — and no obon festival is complete without taiko drums and andagi.

One of the booths was prepared to sell thousands of the deep-fried treat, with proceeds supporting Hawaii’s young athletes.

The festival is held every first Saturday of July.

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Partly to Mostly Sunny skies with windward and mauka showers drifting leeward at times. Most of the rainfall will be light and in the overnight to early morning hours with an increasing trend on Tuesday and stronger trends on Thursday and Friday; which is good because we need to beneficial rainfall.

View the latest weather conditions here.

Trade winds will continue blowing from the east all week while a high-pressure system sits north of Hawaii, keeping conditions mostly stable. On Tuesday, a weak weather system moving in from the east will bring some extra showers across the islands, but nothing major. A more significant system arrives Thursday through Friday—it’s actually the leftover remains of a tropical cyclone—and will bring noticeably heavier rain, especially on the windward sides of the islands (the sides facing the trade winds) and on mountain slopes, with humidity increasing as well. The highest rainfall will happen Thursday through Friday, though overall rainfall amounts will stay limited due to large-scale stability in the atmosphere.

A Small Craft Advisory now in effect for all Hawaiian waters (a warning for smaller boats to be cautious). A new long-period swell from the south-southwest is already moving in and will boost south shore surf heights to near-High Surf Advisory levels through Monday before gradually fading. East-facing shores will remain rough and choppy throughout the week from the strong winds, while north-facing shores will stay relatively flat. These windy conditions and Small Craft Advisories will continue through the entire week.

Download the HNN Weather app from the Apple App Store or Google Play for the latest updates from your First Alert Weather Team: chief meteorologist Jennifer Robbins, meteorologist Drew Davis, and weather anchors Guy Hagi, Ben Gutierrez, and Billy V.