Posted on: Wednesday, May 7, 2003

Longer airport goodbyes possible

By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer

Honolulu airport might give you a little more time to give your sweetheart a sendoff.

State transportation officials are considering granting people 30 minutes of free parking as way of easing inconveniences caused by post-9-11 security rules.

The free parking is meant to encourage residents picking up or dropping off passengers to use the parking structures rather than linger at curbside in front of terminals, said Airports Administrator Davis Yogi.

"We're trying to give them another way to spend a few more minutes with their friends and relatives without being hassled by a security guard," Yogi said.

Since the terrorist attacks in 2001, airports nationwide have severely restricted vehicle traffic near terminals and curtailed visitor access to departure gates.

In Hawai'i that proved especially painful for family and friends used to delivering lei and prolonging their goodbyes. The new plan comes in response to complaints from drivers who feel they have been rudely rushed by security guards when they engage in anything more than quick loading and unloading, Yogi said.

"We want the curbside attendants to be polite but professional," he said. "We want to tell people that there's another way for them to avoid the situation."

If approved, the plan could apply to all Hawai'i airports where paid public parking is available, he said.

Drivers now pay $1 for 30 minutes of parking at Honolulu International Airport and $1 for each extra hour or fraction of an hour.

One proposal would make the first 30 minutes free. Another would charge the full rate, with no free time, if the auto was in the parking building 31 minutes or more.

"It's something we have to negotiate with the parking vendors," Yogi said. "We're probably going to lose some money but need to do it anyway."