In my early years here, there was no restriction or pay requirement to accessing Maui’s beaches and parks, but like a cancer it is creeping in.

It started with the state restricting access to Waianapanapa in Hana, then charging for parking and a per-person fee at state beaches such as Big Beach in South Maui.

Now Maui County is about to charge visitors for parking at its beaches and parks such as Kamaole Beaches 1, 2 and 3.

All of Hawaii beaches are supposed to be “free” and open to the public. To make people pay to access these beaches goes against Hawaiian tradition and one of the attractive qualities of our islands.

Visitors seeking to avoid the paid parking will most likely park in the private parking lots of the many condominiums or shops which line the streets along those beaches.

As this pay for parking cancer spreads, we will become more and more like mainland cities — something most of us don’t want to see.

Paid parking is not the solution to the over-tourism problem. And the privilege of residents not having to pay if they are willing to deal with the hassle and sacrifice their privacy can easily be revoked with a flip of a switch when government leaders decide they want more money for an “urgent” need.

Please, let’s keep our beaches free.

Jim Blarigan

Kihei