Parking

The prospect of parking rates jumping from 25 cents an hour to up to $1.50 an hour brought dozens of protesters to the Dillingham Fountain at Kapiolani Park yesterday.

The City Council is on the verge of passing Bill 25, which would raise metered parking rates around the park to 75 cents and $1.50 an hour in an effort to make up for a $50 million shortfall in the city budget.

"Bill 25 is a real slap to the people's access to Waikiki's recreational areas," said Makakilo resident John Shockley. "Imagine a family trying to spend a day at Kapiolani Park, the Zoo, the Aquarium, and the beach paying what the mayor says is the equivalent of the price of a plate lunch to the City to park."

But Budget Committee Chairman Nestor Garcia said some of the money raised would help pay for improvements at the park and the zoo.