Lawmakers and experienced citizen activists say there's something compelling about putting human face on your testimony at the Legislature.

The question is where to put your car so that you can present your case in person.

Parking is at a premium at the state Capitol, where the public has to compete with special guests for the 66 metered stalls in the underground garage. There are a few other parking lots in the area and spaces can sometimes be found at lots used by the Department of Health, Department of Education and 'Iolani Palace, as well as on the surrounding streets.

However, these lots often fill up early on normal session days and spots can be nearly impossible to find when a big hearing is scheduled.

"Our patrons frequently express great frustration over their inability to find parking," said Suzanne Marinelli, coordinator of the capitol's Public Access Room. "It's hard enough to come down and do the business of democracy, and if you can't get down here to do it, it's even harder."

"It's a huge problem," Marinelli said. "I guess it's a way to promote public transit."

Marinelli recommends public transportation to those determined to get to a hearing on time. "On busy hearing days, absolutely," she said. "There are a lot of buses that serve this area."

State parking lots are controlled by the Department of Accounting and General Services, although each chamber of the Legislature has a certain number of stalls it can assign to lawmakers and staff and can negotiate with DAGS if it has to accommodate a large number of people.

Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.