A recent decision to seek donations for parking at Saints Peter and Paul Church near Waimea Bay has some residents questioning the change in policy after years of being allowed to park there for free.

But church officials say the switch is for a good cause, giving youths affiliated with the Roman Catholic parish a way to raise money to attend World Youth Day in Australia next year. And people aren't asked to donate every day, only on the days the youths can be there, usually weekends and holidays.

The request for a donation is just that, said the Rev. Johnathan Hurrell. People can and have refused to give, but few do once they learn how the money will be used.

"I would say that 99.9 percent are very appreciative because they know somebody is there," he said. "The kids are there watching" to make sure nothing happens to their cars.

Students from St. Michael's School in Waialua are conducting the fundraiser, Hurrell said.

"It's a poor little parish, and we're trying to figure out ways to raise funds for the kids to go," he said, adding that the children have done other fundraisers to raise money to feed the homeless living at Mokule'ia Beach.

For decades, overflow crowds heading to Waimea Bay have enjoyed the free parking while not-so-lucky beach users received citations or were towed for illegal parking near the popular surfing beach.

"Police send cars (to the lot) that would otherwise be towed," Hurrell said. "So it provides people with a space and helps us raising funds to get our kids to Australia."

Melissa Miklas, of 'Ewa Beach, has parked there for years, and when they started asking for donations last summer, she paid up. But a recent incident there had her wondering whether the request was legitimate, especially after her husband got into a "kind of argument" with an attendant when they said they were only staying for a few minutes and didn't want to pay $5.

The donation sign on a tent is faded but the suggested $5 request is clear, Miklas said.

"We don't know if it's affiliated with the church or if it might be private parking," she said. "I've been here 10 years and have never seen a donation tent."

Antya Miller, executive director for the North Shore Chamber of Commerce, said the parking lot is on private property and it only makes sense for the church to help the children.

"They need the support, and the people need a place to park," Miller said, adding that the church pays for the upkeep of the parking lot.

Hurrell said area residents have complained, especially when they first started. But he said he doesn't understand why.

"It's for a good cause, to help our young," he said.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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