I’m asking for your help if you want to stop "Downtown from Becoming a Ghost Town".
I’m sharing something that matters deeply to me and to many small business owners in Kailua Village.

For the past year, the 365 Hawaii Island Community Fund has been working on a bill to address the paid parking issue in downtown Kona. We’ve listened to restaurant owners, shopkeepers, employees, and longtime residents who are seeing the impact firsthand — fewer customers, empty parking lots, rising frustration, and more “For Lease” signs appearing.

This isn’t political. It’s practical.

When parking becomes too expensive, people simply stop coming downtown. And when foot traffic drops, small businesses suffer. We’ve heard directly from owners who say the current system — including parking rates reaching $17.50 — is affecting their survival.

The bill is now heading to the County Council, and your voice can make a difference.

Important dates:
• March 3 – Committee Meeting (Hilo) Hilo Council Chambers, Hawai‘i County Building, 25 Aupuni Street, First Floor, Room 1401

• March 18 – Full Council Meeting (Kona) West Hawai‘i Civic Center
74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Highway, Building A

You can attend in person, testify by Zoom, or submit written testimony. Even a short statement about what you’ve observed or how this bill can improve the outcome of Kailua Village can help council members understand the real impact.

We are advocating for enforcement of existing laws and reasonable limits on parking fees so that Kailua Village remains vibrant for residents, visitors, and future generations.

If you care about Kona, please consider participating. Information on how to submit testimony is included below.

STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS
Oral testimony may be provided entirely at the beginning of the meeting, or
immediately preceding the agenda item being opened for deliberation by the committee.

Let’s work together to keep downtown Kona thriving.
Join the conversation at the Fix Paid Parking in Kona Facebook Group or visit www.ParkinginKona.com and you can go to the 365HawaiiIslandCommunityFund.org to reach me and my team.

The 365 Hawaiʻi Island Community Fund builds strategic partnerships with local nonprofits and community groups to strengthen and support Hawaiʻi Island. We connect volunteers with organizations in need, amplify outreach through community events, and create new opportunities for civic engagement and collaboration across the island.