Free Beach Parking for Maui Residents Advances in South Maui

Big win for local families! A new Maui County bill promises free, priority beach parking for Hawaiʻi residents at popular South Maui beach parks—while tourists will now need to pay.

On Monday, the Maui County Council’s Water and Infrastructure Committee unanimously recommended Bill 79, which aims to implement paid parking zones for non-residents while reserving free access for locals. The bill is part of the county’s Park Maui initiative, designed to better manage beach access and reinvest in local infrastructure.

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What the Bill Means for Residents

Under the new plan:
Hawaiʻi residents with a valid state driver’s license get free parking at South Maui beaches.
Locals also get priority access to parking before 10 a.m. on weekends and holidays.
The rule applies to some of Maui’s most popular beach parks—Kamaʻole I, II, and III—in the first phase.

“Maui residents should have a clear benefit for living here,” said Council Member Tom Cook, who chairs the committee. “This gives our families the chance to hit the beach early and find parking without having to compete with visitors.”

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What Tourists Can Expect

Visitors will need to:
Pay a flat rate of $10 per day to park.
Wait until after 10 a.m. on weekends and holidays to use public parking at designated beach parks.

The parking system will be managed through:
A mobile app
Physical kiosks with license scanning to verify residency
On-site parking ambassadors to guide users and ensure compliance

Violators may face citations or impoundment after an initial grace period of education and adjustment.

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Launch Timeline & Rollout

According to Neil Nakamoto, program manager for Park Maui, the first phase is expected to launch in early 2026, once permitting and app testing are complete.

The weekday benefit remains strong for residents too—locals will continue to park all day for free from Monday to Friday.

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Designed for Sustainability

Marc Takamori, Director of Maui County’s Department of Transportation, emphasized that Park Maui is meant to be a sustainable, revenue-positive program.

Revenue generated from tourist parking will be reinvested into county improvements, including better transportation and beach maintenance.

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Questions & Future Expansion

Some council members raised important questions:

• Council Member Gabe Johnson asked about integrating the program with expanded bus services to reduce car traffic.
• Council Member Shane Sinenci proposed pilot programs in East Maui, where tourism congestion is a growing concern.
• Council Chair Alice Lee requested detailed financial projections to evaluate the long-term viability of the plan.

While the program lost initial projected revenue from West Maui due to the Lahaina fires, officials say adjustments are being made to ensure a strong financial foundation.

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What’s Next?

Bill 79 now moves to the full Maui County Council for the first of two official readings. If passed, Maui residents can look forward to fairer, easier access to the beaches they call home—while ensuring visitors also contribute to the upkeep of paradise.

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Lucky you live Hawaiʻi? With free South Maui beach parking for residents—it’s more true than ever.

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