War Memorial Stadium lot to close today for renovation
Alternate parking being planned for graduations, other popular events
Staff Writer
Some alternate parking plans have been developed while others still are being worked out for the thousands of people who use the War Memorial Stadium parking lot, which will close today for renovations.
Closure of the lot for the $2.2 million project was supposed to begin March 2, but a delay in receiving material for drainage areas pushed the closure back, said Maui County Communications Director Brian Perry on Tuesday.
The closure is expected to last until Aug. 31.
The delay “created a window of opportunity” for another Maui Interscholastic League track meet Tuesday and additional parking for MIL preseason baseball, Perry said last week.
One row of parking next to the Maehara Baseball Stadium fence line will remain open temporarily during the project, Perry said.
The county has said that the MIL baseball schedule will remain unaffected, though spectators will need to find off-site parking. The MIL track and field season has been truncated with the MIL championships set for May 7 and 8 at the stadium.
MIL football also could be affected.
Work has begun on the project with the contractor installing dust fencing around the perimeter of the project area. A portion of the lot already is blocked off to prepare for drainage work later this week, Perry
said.
The project includes removal and replacement of the existing asphalt parking lot, drainage improvements to meet stormwater standards, additional sidewalks and raised medians for safety and accessibility, and new tree and grass plantings.
When completed, there will be
807 parking stalls, or 40 more than currently. There also will be 12 accessible stalls and 11 van accessible stalls in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The closure of the parking lot affects a wide-range of people and activities from commercial drivers license applicants to high school graduations in May. Activities impacted include:
≤ CDL testing, administered by the county Division of Motor Vehicles and Licensing, which has moved to Maui Raceway Park in Puunene, Perry said. Applicants for CDL licensing may contact the DMVL by phone at 270-7363 for appointments and information.
≤ Parallel parking testing for the lighter vehicles has been moved to Keopuolani Park, Perry said.
≤ Private commercial drivers license trainers, who use the spacious lot for practice driving. They have been notified of the need to relocate, Perry said.
The stadium parking lot is used by various groups for park and ride.
Hotel workers use the lot to park their cars and catch a bus to West Maui for work. They were relocated in February with the coordination of the county Department of Transportation, Perry said. He said that he did not know where the alternate site is and would not disclose the location even if he knew.
The hotel workers know where the site is, Perry said.
Fifty people from Maui Memorial Medical Center, who used the War Memorial lot for park and ride, have been parking at the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center since January, said hospital spokeswoman Lisa Paulson. A shuttle to the hospital is provided.
Events that attract thousands have made or are still working on alternate parking plans.
The Ho‘omau event on March 28, held at the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens across the street from the stadium, will have parking available at the Boys & Girls Club and the grassy area near the Maui Family YMCA, said Kili Namauu, director of Punana Leo O Maui, the event sponsor. They are working on a plan for shuttle service, she added.
She also is encouraging carpooling.
The annual event, a benefit for the Hawaiian language immersion program, attracts more than 4,000 people. Namauu said she is hopeful the parking situation does not deter spectators because even “in the rain they still come.”
The Maui Visitor Industry Charity Walk, scheduled for
May 9 with festivities at the War Memorial soccer field next to Kaahumanu Avenue, has similar plans to use the parking lots of the Boys & Girls Club, YMCA and Baldwin High School.
The War Memorial Stadium parking lot has been the main parking lot for the event that attracts around 2,000 participants, said Rod Antone, executive director of Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, which puts on the charity walk. The association currently is informing participants about the parking changes.
Graduations by the two largest public schools in the county will be held at the stadium during parking lot work.
Parking for Maui High School’s commencement exercises will include street parking and at Keopuolani Park and Baldwin High School, said state Department of Education spokeswoman Tara Taitano.
The parking in front of the War Memorial Gym is being reserved for faculty and guests requiring special accommodations. It is undetermined yet if parking will be available off-site with shuttles provided, she said.
The details for Baldwin High’s graduation still are being worked out, she said.
Taitano said graduation dates still are not confirmed with both schools awaiting the Board of Education approval. However, the Maui High online calendar shows graduation set for May 17. The Baldwin High online calendar says commencement is set for May 21.
“Attendees will be advised to arrive early and anticipate traffic delays,” Taitano said of the graduation programs at War Memorial Stadium.
Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.