Ma’alaea Triangle Goes to Paid Parking

Ma`alaea Triangle. Photo courtesy of HVCB.

By Sonia Isotov

Effective Feb. 1,  the north end of the parking lot at Ma’alaea Triangle will go to paid parking, according to an announcement by the Maui Ocean Center today.

The Maui Ocean Center assures customers of the Hawaiian Aquarium and Ma’alaea Harbor Shops that they will continue to receive complimentary parking as they are accustomed.

The lot is divided into north and south factions by Hauoli Street, the access road from Honoapi’ilani Highway. The south lot, nearest Maui Ocean Center and Ma’alaea Harbor Shops, will have an attendant. Parking in the south lot will be available, complimentary, to patrons of Maui Ocean Center and the Ma’alaea Harbor Shops only.

“We appreciate that this is an adjustment after 15 years of the aquarium being in business,” said Kate Zolezzi, the general manager at Maui Ocean Center, in a written statement.

“We have every confidence in Diamond Parking and all of the entities involved to make this a smooth transition and to ensure Maui Ocean Center’s valued customers are not affected.”

Pay booths will be stationed in the north lot. The parking fee will start at a $5 per day. Fees will go to the safety, security, and general maintenance of the lot. In the event of overflow in the south lot, aquarium and harbor shop patrons may park in the north lot with the fee waived.

Vehicles carrying school groups, cruise ship shore excursions, and hotel groups enter the south lot. Vendors and individuals with appointments at Maui Ocean Center or Ma’alaea Harbor Shops will be allowed complimentary parking in the south lot for a limited time while they conduct business.

The Ma’alaea Triangle Association along with Peake and Levoy announced last week that Diamond Parking Services LLC will manage the parking areas.