COUNCIL CHAIR TOMMY WATERS AND VICE CHAIR ESTHER KIAʻĀINA ISSUE STATEMENT ON UNREGULATED BARNACLE PARKING DEVICE

HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I – Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters and Vice Chair Esther Kia‘āina have confirmed with the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) that use of barnacle parking devices, designed to immobilize parked motor vehicles, is not allowed on public property.

“It is my understanding that these devices are not allowed to be placed on vehicles on public property, including public roads, public easements, and unimproved sidewalks,” said Kia‘āina, who represents Kailua where many of the barnacle devices have been popping up. “I have been in contact with HPD and they have shared that placement of barnacle devices on vehicles partially or fully on public property could be considered second-degree criminal tampering, a temporary misdemeanor under Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes § 708-827. HPD also shared that an officer spoke with the owner of the company that has been placing barnacle parking devices on vehicles in Kailua, and  informed the owner of this on February 13, 2024. If this continues we urge the public to reach out to HPD, and if necessary, I will work with the Council to assess whether we should look at additional penalties by way of legislation.”

In April 2013, state law (HRS 291C-115) banned parking boots, making the practice of booting “a motor vehicle located on any public or private street, roadway, or highway, as applicable, or on any public or private property, as applicable illegal and punishable by a fine of $100 for each offense.”

“We have a clear precedent that this type of activity or business is not permissible on O‘ahu, or anywhere in Hawai‘i for that matter,” said Waters. “While a barnacle may be a different way to immobilize a car than a boot, it is exactly the same concept, poses the same potential for property damage, and is completely unregulated.” 

Pono Parking claims to be the exclusive provider and operator of barnacle parking devices in Hawai‘i. The device attaches to car windshields, forcing drivers to pay a fine online through a QR code needed to release the suction cups, and then return the device to a drop-off location.  

“Car owners who have barnacles placed on their vehicles on public property are at the complete mercy of an unregulated and unchecked company without authority and without legal training to ascertain whether the car is in fact parking illegally,” said Kia‘āina. “As wrong as parking illegally is, due process needs to be protected, and these companies are not above the law themselves.” 

Waters represents City Council District 4, which includes Hawai‘i Kai, Kuli‘ou‘ou, Niu Valley, ‘Āina Haina, Wailupe, Wai‘alae Iki, Kalani Valley, Kāhala, Wilhelmina Rise, Kaimukī, Kapahulu, Diamond Head, and Waikīkī.

Kiaʻāina represents City Council District 3, which includes ʻĀhuimanu, Heʻeia, Haʻikū, Kāneʻohe, Maunawili, Kailua, Olomana, Enchanted Lake and Waimānalo.

###