How Kaneohe Handles Parking Rules: A Practical Guide

Kaneohe maintains 106 local ordinances across all categories, and 7 of those deal specifically with parking rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Kaneohe falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

RV & Boat Parking

Kaneohe's boating-centric community, with proximity to MCBH and Kaneohe Bay, faces strict on-street storage limits under ROH 15-16.6 that prohibit long-term curbside RV and boat trailer parking.

Key details: Code Section: ROH 15-16.6. Signs Required: No. Abandonment: After 24 hours. Enforcement: HPD and DCS.

Citation, tow at owner expense, storage fees. Abandonment status after 24 hours.

This is one of the stricter rules in Kaneohe's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Driveway Rules

ROH 15-14.1 prohibits parking in front of driveways or within four feet on either side, a rule that matters across Kaneohe's dense Kaneohe Bay, Haiku, and Windward Mall neighborhoods.

Key details: Code Section: ROH 15-14.1. Side Buffer: 4 feet each side. Signs Required: No. Enforcement: HPD.

Parking citation and possible tow for driveway obstruction.

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions

Kaneohe prohibits on-street storage of commercial vehicles under ROH 15-16.6, with residential off-street parking governed by LUO 21-6.20, affecting contractors and base-area businesses.

Key details: Code Section: ROH 15-16.6. Off-Street Rule: LUO 21-6.20. Residential Parking: Generally restricted. Signs Required: No.

Citation, tow, and DPP zoning referral for repeat violations.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Kaneohe actively enforces its commercial vehicle restrictions requirements.

EV Charging

New Kaneohe multi-family and commercial projects near Windward Mall and along Kamehameha Highway must include EV-ready stalls under LUO 21-6.60, with thresholds for residential and commercial scale.

Key details: Code Section: LUO 21-6.60. Multi-Family Trigger: 8+ stalls. Commercial Trigger: 12+ stalls. Compact Size: Pre-Dec 2020 ok.

Permit denial until compliance; code enforcement against non-compliant operators.

Street Parking Limits

Kaneohe's Windward Mall corridor, Kamehameha Highway, and school zones carry signed no-parking and tow-away restrictions under ROH 15-14.5 Schedule XXII, with curb alignment enforced under ROH 15-13.5.

Key details: Code Section: ROH 15-14.5. Curb Distance: Within 12 inches. Schedule: XXII posted list. Signs Required: Yes.

Citation fine; tow plus storage for tow-away or sweep-day violations.

Overnight Parking

Kaneohe has no general overnight parking ban, but ROH 15-14.6 enforces posted hour limits near schools and MCBH gates, while ROH 15-16.6 caps continuous on-street storage at 72 hours.

Key details: Code Section: ROH 15-14.6. Citywide Ban: None. Storage Cap: 72 hours. Signs Required: Yes.

Citation during restricted hours; tow after 72 hours of continuous storage.

Abandoned Vehicles

Vehicles unattended on Kaneohe streets more than 24 hours can be declared abandoned under ROH 15-13.8, with HPD or DCS authorizing tow and owners billed for storage and disposal.

Key details: Code Section: ROH 15-13.8. Time Threshold: 24 hours. State Overlay: HRS 290-11. Disposal Fund: ROH Ch 29 Art 20.

Tow, storage charges, disposal fees, and civil liability for unrecovered costs.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Kaneohe actively enforces its abandoned vehicles requirements.

The Bottom Line

Kaneohe is tougher than many cities when it comes to parking rules. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Kaneohe, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

All of the above reflects Kaneohe's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.