If you’ve ever tried to park in Kailua-Kona and felt confused or frustrated — this video is for you.
In this update, Eric and Julie break down everything you need to know about parking in downtown Kona heading into 2026. After tracking parking changes for over two years and speaking directly with county officials and parking operators, we’re sharing what’s working, what didn’t, and what’s coming next.
We cover:
• Where you can still find free parking as a local
• How visitor validation really works (and how much it costs)
• Insider tips for Coconut Grove, Elite Sunset Plaza, the Farmers Market lot, and more
• Why certain parking ideas were scrapped — and why others may still happen
• Planned improvements that could add new free parking spaces in 2026 and beyond
• What the county is doing instead of building a parking garage
• Why parking access matters for local businesses, residents, and visitors
Our goal with this video is simple:
👉 Cut through the confusion,
👉 Help people park smarter,
👉 And make it easier to support downtown Kona.
We’re also actively involved in advocating for better parking solutions through community partnerships and ongoing conversations with the county — because we don’t want to see downtown turn into a ghost town.
If you want to stay informed:
• Join our free “End Paid Parking in Kona” Facebook group
• Subscribe for island updates, business news, and real estate insights
• Join our Ohana newsletter at 365HawaiiRE.com
Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:08 Failed Solutions
3:22 Kona Parking Tips
6:39 The Tri Angle Lot
8:41 Parking Solutions
Mahalo for watching, and we’ll see you in the next video — including our upcoming 2026 Kona predictions.
Mahalo for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe to both channels:
🌴 365Hawaii (lifestyle)
🏡 365Hawaii Real Estate Minute (market updates & listings)
Connect with us:
Julie Ziemelis | RS-85062 | REAL Broker
📧 Julie@Ziemelis.com
📞 808-333-1004
🌐 www.365hawaiiRE.com
Aloha 🌺