Question: While at the Waikiki Shell recently, I noticed that the disabled parking spaces nearest the Shell are not in compliance as they have no access aisles. Also, considering the overflow lot, it appears likely that the number of stalls designated for disabled parking is not adequate. There also seems to be an inadequate number of disabled stalls along the Kalakaua side of Kapiolani Park. How can I get this addressed and rectified?
Answer: Your observations are correct at the Waikiki Shell, at least in terms of current requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
When the respective parking lots at the venue were constructed — the main lot that extends to the Kapiolani Park Bandstand area and the “overflow” lot at the corner of Paki and Monsarrat avenues — the number of “regular” disabled parking stalls, van access stalls and access aisles were all “in compliance with the requirements,” said Todd Hiranaga, the city Department of Parks and Recreation East Honolulu district manager.
Not so now. But the parks department and Department of Design and Construction are in the final design phases of a reconstruction project for the Kapiolani Regional Park/Shell parking lot.
“Hopefully, this project will be under way (by December), and the parking spaces will be in compliance with the current ADAAG (Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines),” Hiranaga said. Officials hope to start the project after the Honolulu Marathon in early December and complete it in nine to 10 months.
We also passed on your concerns about the parking situation along the Kalakaua end of Kapiolani Park.
According to the state Disability and Communications Access Board, access aisles are required for all disabled parking stalls, regular or van-accessible. Two stalls may share one access aisle between them.
It’s more complicated figuring out the number of stalls required.
Guidelines have technical specifications for the number of stalls required for both regular and van-accessible spaces. The ratio basically is 1 out of 25 regular stalls, although the percentage diminishes as the lot exceeds 100 stalls, according to state the board.
The number of van-accessible stalls also is determined by a ratio of 1 per 6 handicap stalls, with a minimum of one.
For example, if there are 100 parking stalls, four must be accessible, and one of those four must be van-accessible.
Question: Above one of the disabled parking signs in the Waikiki Shell parking lot, it says, “Private Property/No Trespassing.” What’s up with that?
Answer: Apparently it’s somewhat of a mystery.
“We are looking into the origin and removal of those signs,” an official with the city Department of Parks and Recreation said.
AUWE
To the thieves who regularly steal red ginger blossoms from the garden at the Hawaii Okinawa Center. The stolen flowers are probably being sold. We know you come in the dark hours, and one day you will be caught in the act. In the meantime, if you continue to steal, may you be abundantly blessed with “bachi” (bad luck). — Garden volunteer
———
Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
