Lahaina Needs Parking
Business Seeking $100,000

Lahaina Needs Parking

West Maui businessman have asked the County Council to provide $100,000 for off-street parking in Lahaina.

In a letter to the Council, the West Maui Business Assn. pointed out that State legislature voted funds for off-street parking during both the 1970 and 1971 sessions. The 1970 appropriation of $100,000 was approved on condition that it be matched by $100,000 in County funds.

The 1971 session added another $100,000 which require no matching funds.

Maui Mayor Elmer Cravalho's 1971-72 capital improvements budget proposes expenditure of $50,000 in County funds for Front Street resurfacing and parking.

The association's letter asked that "the proposed $50,000 be increased to at least $100,000 in order to match and release the 1970 State appropriation for Lahaina off-street parking.

"This will then facilitate release of the second $100,000 State appropriation," the letter said, "thus giving us a total of $300,000 to work with in initiating our much needed programs."

The letter was presented at last week's meeting of the County Council, and referred to the Council's public works committee.

Also introduced at the meeting was a letter from County Police Chief Abramham Aiona, endorsing the business association's plan for a one-way street pattern on Front Street.

In a letter to Cravalho last month, the association asked the mayor's help in providing off-street parking and initiating one-way traffic on Front Street-from north to south-between Lahainaluna Road and Dickenson Street.

Aiona termed the one-way street proposal "basically sound" and "a step in the right direction."

Traffic traveling south to north would use Luakini Street, which parallels Front Street one block to the east.

Aiona said he also supports the association's recomendation for angle parking on the makai side of Front Street, elimination of parking on the mauka side, and widening of the mauka sidewalk.

Since Lahaina needs parking, the association's proposals for off-street parking and a one-way traffic flow on Front Street have been endorsed by the Maui Chamber of Commerce, the political action committee of ILWU Unit 2103, and the Lahaina Kiwanis, Rotary and Jacees Clubs.