Question: I own an electric car. I have been getting free parking at the airport but have been informed by a friend that starting July 1, parking is no longer free for electric cars at the airport. Is this true, and what other changes to the free parking for electric cars and other benefits have been instituted?
Answer: It’s not entirely true, but you will have to pay if you park for more than 24 hours at a time.
The state Legislature amended the law dealing with electric vehicle parking fees last year, pointed out Caroline Sluyter, spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation.
Act 168 superseded Act 290 in the Session Laws of Hawaii (see www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2012/
bills/GM1271_.PDF).
“Electric vehicles are exempt from parking fees, but there are a few exceptions,” Sluyter said.
An electric vehicle, with an EV license plate, is allowed to park for free at state or county parking lots or metered stalls with these exceptions: while parked at a charging station; while parked for more than 21⁄2 hours at a meter or the maximum amount of time allowed, whichever is longer; while parked for longer than one 24-hour day, including under weekly, monthly or annual parking permits.
In the case of state airports, the provision that now applies is for parking longer than 24 hours.
“At the airport, electric vehicles get the first 24 hours free and then have to pay the regular rate,” Sluyter said.
Signs stating the new rate were posted at the entrance during the last week of May.
“We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause to electric vehicle owners,” Sluyter said.
Question: When I go on short trips to the mainland, I sometimes park on the ground level, Diamond Head end, of the Honolulu Airport parking structure (across from United Airlines baggage claim). The state is planning to allow car rental agencies to park their cars in that area while a new car rental facility is being built, supposedly beginning this summer. Does the state have a more definitive date as to when public parking will be prohibited in that area?
Answer: Not yet, but not all public stalls will be lost.
Car rental vehicles aren’t expected to move into the overseas parking garage until early 2014.
But dates are subject to change depending on the construction schedule, said Sluyter, the Department of Transportation spokeswoman.
As construction of a new consolidated car rental facility approaches, the DOT will put out notices through the news media and on its website, hidot.hawaii.gov.
While the car rental agencies temporarily will take up space in the overseas parking lot, about half of the current stalls will be available to the public, Sluyter said.
“The lot will still be open to the public, and we encourage drivers to check the lower and upper levels for parking spots,” she said.
“In addition, the international parking structure, which is adjacent to and accessible through the interisland parking structure, is and will be available for public parking.”
AUWE
To an irresponsible driver. On the morning of June 5, I was in the extreme right lane of Moanalua Freeway heading toward Red Hill when suddenly a blue Altima was alongside of me. The side of the driver’s headlight was only three or four inches from touching my headlight. The driver kept on speeding and coming into my lane. Luckily, I was able to go to my left to avoid being hit, then return to the right lane without hitting the concrete median. I could have been seriously hurt or died. Lady, just think if it was your mother or grandmother in the car you almost hit. Drive more carefully, stop speeding or else park the car. — A Senior Citizen Lucky to Be Alive
MAHALO
To an honest person. I accidentally dropped my American Express card while shopping at the Waipio Costco last month. A very honest person turned it in to the customer service desk. — J. Honda, Mililani
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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.
