Parking Ticket Controversy in Makaha

Parking ticket controversy in Leeward Oahu
By Duane Shimogawa
Updated: July 11, 2008 07:53 PM

MAKAHA (KHNL) - Some people who live in Makaha on Oahu's Leeward Coast are fuming mad after Honolulu Police issue numerous parking tickets in the neighborhood.

For almost 30 years, Clarence Tabula has lived in Makaha. His family of six has four cars. They're all parked near his home along the street. Parking hasn't been a problem in the past, but now, it's a costly situation. "No chance. they walk up, they writing the ticket already and then they tell you what's going on," Tabula said. Tabula is one of many people who've received tickets for parking illegally.

This has turned neighbors against one another. "I seen just the other day, had one scrap 'cuz of parking, you know, parking in front of somebody's house and that's neighbors for a long time too, but they just fighting over parking," Tabula said.

State representative Maile Shimabukuro is stepping in. "The problem with the law is that it makes parking nearly impossible in neighborhoods where houses are close together, such as in Makaha and in places like Honolulu where parking is always hard to find," she said.

Hawaii parking and street laws say it's illegal for any car not registered to be parked on the street. It's also illegal for any car to be parked within four feet of a driveway, even if it's your own driveway.

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