Campus Parking
About Parking at UH Hilo
Parking and traffic procedures at UH Hilo are designed to support the safety, accessibility, and general welfare of the University community. This page summarizes current parking operations, restrictions, and resources.
On this page:
Current Parking Status
UH Hilo is currently operating under a temporary administrative parking program in which paid parking permits and daily passes are not required during Standard Parking Hours (6:00 a.m. - midnight)
Housing Parking Zones, overnight parking restrictions, and all safety- and accessibility-related parking rules remain in effect.
The current program is temporary and may be revised in the future with reasonable advance notice.
Parking & Gate Hours
Campus vehicle access and parking availability vary by location and time of day. The information below outlines standard parking hours, overnight restrictions, and locations with controlled access.
Standard Parking Hours
6:00 a.m. – Midnight
- General Parking areas are available without a permit under the current parking program.
- Housing Parking Zones are open for general parking during Standard Parking Hours.
- All safety, ADA, and restricted-area rules are enforced.
Overnight Parking Hours
Midnight – 6:00 a.m.
- General Parking areas require an approved Overnight Parking Pass.
- Housing Parking Zones require a valid Housing Parking Permit or Guest Pass.
- Parking overnight without authorization may result in citation.
- All safety, ADA, and restricted-area rules are enforced.
Campus Gate Closure Times
Nowelo Street Gates
- Closed daily from 10:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.
- Vehicle access is restricted during these hours.
- Pedestrian access is not affected unless posted.
Additional gate closures may be added in the future. This section will be updated as access changes.
General Permits & Passes
General Parking Permits (Standard Parking Hours)
Paid parking permits are not required for general campus parking during Standard Parking Hours (6:00 a.m. - Midnight) under the current temporary administrative parking program.
Parking is allowed in clearly marked parking stalls unless otherwise restricted. Legacy zone designations (e.g., Zone 2) that previously required paid daytime permits are not enforced during this period.
Parking rules related to safety, accessibility, emergency access, official use, and posted time-limited restrictions remain enforced at all times.
Overnight Parking Passes (Non-Housing)
A Free Overnight Parking Pass is available for individuals who need to leave a vehicle on campus between Midnight - 6:00 a.m. for University of Hawaiʻi–related business or short-term unforeseen circumstances(e.g., vehicle breakdowns), subject to approval.
Required information:
- Name
- UH ID number
- Vehicle license plate number
- Contact phone number
- Purpose for overnight parking
Where to obtain a pass:
UH Hilo Parking Office
📞 808-932-7001
🕘 Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (Closed State and Federal Holidays)
UH Hilo Campus Security
📞 808-932-7013
🕘 Open Daily, 24hrs
Housing Permits & Passes
Housing Parking applies to students who live in campus housing and their approved guests. Overnight parking in Housing Parking Zones or other designated overnight parking areas requires a valid permit or guest pass issued by the Parking Office.
Housing Parking Permits
Housing Parking Permits are required for eligible housing residents who park vehicles in Housing Parking Lots between Midnight - 6:00 a.m.
- Permit cost: $35 per semester
- Permit duration: Valid for the semester issued
- Authorized Use: Overnight parking in designated Housing Parking Zones only
Housing Parking Permits are issued by the Parking Office.
You may submit a Housing Parking Permit application in advance; however, permits are not issued until approximately one week before classes begin, once the official Housing Resident Roster is finalized.
Citations for parking without a parking permit or guest pass typically begins about one week after the start of the semester. Housing will email residents each semester with the official enforcement start date.
How to Apply for a Housing Parking Permit
- Complete the Housing Parking Permit Application:
- Applications are reviewed once the Housing Resident Roster is finalized.
- Applicants will be notified by the Parking Office when their permit is ready for pickup.
Permit Pickup Requirements
Applicants must present: 1. Valid driver’s license Current vehicle registration 2. Signed Owner’s Waiver (if the vehicle is not registered to the applicant) 3. Payment types: cash, check or credit/debit card (No AMEX)
Permit Fees and Refunds
Housing Parking Permits are issued for the full semester only. Permits are not prorated, and no refunds are issued once a permit has been purchased, including situations where a vehicle is sold, no longer used, or obtained partway through the semester.
Housing Guest Pass (Overnight)
Housing Guest Parking Passes authorize short-term overnight parking in Housing Parking Zones for visitors of housing residents.
- Current fee: No charge
- Authorized use: Overnight parking in Housing Parking Zones or other designated overnight parking areas, as assigned.
- Availability: Subject to change
Required information: 1. Housing resident name and UH ID number 2. Residence hall name 3. Vehicle license plate number 4. Contact phone number
Where to obtain a pass:
UH Hilo Parking Office
📞 808-932-7001
🕘 Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (Closed State and Federal Holidays)
UH Hilo Campus Security
📞 808-932-7013
🕘 Open Daily, 24hrs
Designated & Restricted Parking
Certain parking areas on campus are designated or restricted to support safety, accessibility, and University operations. These areas are reserved for specific uses or users and are enforced at all times unless otherwise posted.
Locations of designated parking areas, including disability parking stalls, bicycle and moped racks, and electric vehicle charging stations, are identified on the Campus Parking Map.
Disability (ADA) Parking
Disability parking stalls are reserved for vehicles that meet all of the following requirements:
- Display a valid Disabled Parking Placard or special license plate
- The placard or plate must be issued to the vehicle occupant
- The placard or plate must be properly displayed at the time of parking
Parking in a disability stall without proper authorization, using a placard or plate issued to another person, failing to properly display a valid placard or plate, or blocking required access areas are serious violations.
Disability parking violations carry state-mandated fines under Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules (HAR) Title 20, Chapter 12 and are subject to limited review.
Requests for disability or access related accommodations please contact: Disability and Access Services.
Fire Lanes and Emergency Access
Fire lanes, emergency access routes, and other areas designated for emergency use are reserved at all times. Parking in these areas is prohibited at all times, including for short stops or loading.
Parking designations may be identified by posted signage, stenciled stall markings, curb markings, pavement markings, or other official campus indicators. Drivers are responsible for observing all applicable markings and postings when determining where parking is permitted.
Loading Zones
Loading zones are designated for short-term loading and unloading only. Vehicles may not remain parked in loading zones beyond posted time limits or without authorization.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Electric vehicle charging stations are designated for active vehicle charging only. Vehicles may park in charging station spaces only while actively charging.
Charging station parking is limited to two (2) hours, unless otherwise posted.
Bicycle and Moped Parking
Bicycles and mopeds must be parked in designated bicycle and moped racks. Parking bicycles or mopeds in vehicle parking stalls, walkways, building entrances, or other non-designated areas is not permitted.
Bicycles and mopeds parked in designated racks do not require a parking permit or overnight parking pass.
State Vehicles and Official Use
Parking spaces marked for State vehicles or official University use are reserved for authorized vehicles only.
Areas Not Marked for Parking
Parking is permitted only in clearly marked parking stalls. Parking is prohibited on grassed areas, landscaped areas, sidewalks, walkways, medians, curbs, or any area not designated for parking.
Parking Citations
Parking citations are issued for violations of campus parking and traffic regulations in accordance with Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules (HAR) Title 20, Chapter 12.
A citation must be resolved by payment or by an approved appeal.
A citation is considered unresolved until it is paid or approved through the appeal process. Submitting an appeal does not pause citation status, and applicable penalties or holds may apply while an appeal is under review or if an appeal is denied.
Failure to resolve a citation within the required timeframe will result in a one-time non-payment penalty and may impact access to University services.
Citation Appeals
The appeal process provides an opportunity to request review of a parking citation.
How to Submit an Appeal
- Appeals may be submitted at any time; however, to avoid non-payment penalties, appeals should be submitted within fifteen (15) calendar days of the citation issuance date.
- Appeals must be submitted using the online citation appeal form.
- Effective November 17, 2025, paper and PDF appeal forms are no longer accepted.
Appeal Review and Decisions
Appeals are reviewed by an authorized campus official based on the information submitted and the circumstances of the citation, in accordance with HAR 20-12.
Appeal decisions are final and are communicated electronically whenever possible. Processing time may vary depending on appeal volume; most decisions are issued within 10–15 calendar days.
Formal Citation Review (Reference Only)
HAR 20-12 also provides for a formal citation review process conducted in accordance with Chapter 91, Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes. This is a legal, contested-case process and is rarely used.
For more information, refer to the University-wide policy Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules (HAR) Title 20, Chapter 12
Parking Citation Holds
Unresolved parking citations may result in a hold on a student’s account.
How Parking Citation Holds Work
Parking-related holds are placed based on the total outstanding balance owed for parking citations.
Balances of $200 or less
- May result in a hold that prevents:
- Transcript release
- Diploma release
Balances over $200
- May result in a hold that prevents:
- Transcript release
- Diploma release
- Class registration (add/drop)
Multiple unpaid citations are combined when determining the total outstanding balance.
Title IV Funding & Transcripts
Federal regulations require the University to release transcripts for students who received Title IV funds (for example, Pell Grants or federal student loans).
Transcript release under these regulations does not eliminate or forgive outstanding parking citations. All unpaid balances remain due.
Temporary Hold Removal (Registration Only)
In limited circumstances, the Parking Office may approve a temporary 24-hour hold removal to allow class registration or changes.
- Temporary hold removals are not guaranteed
- Approval is at the discretion of the Parking Office
- Repeated requests may be denied if good-faith efforts to resolve the balance are not demonstrated
Temporary hold removals do not waive citations or outstanding balances.
Questions or Assistance
UH Hilo Parking Office
📞 808-932-7001
🕘 Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (Closed State and Federal Holidays)
Parking Violations & Fines
Source: Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules (HAR) Title 20, Chapter 12, Attachment 1
| # | Violation | Original Fine | 15-Day Non-Payment Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parking in prohibited areas including but not limited to the following: • lawns, planted areas, and grounds under repair; • median strips, sidewalks, driveways, and crosswalks; • No parking areas or along curbs painted red; • (obstructing) fire hydrants or (parking in) fire lanes; • (obstructing) vehicular or pedestrian traffic; • official bus or shuttle stops. |
$40.00 | $50.00 |
| 2 | Parking in an area not designated for that specific type of vehicle. | $40.00 | $50.00 |
| 3 | Operating or parking a vehicle within a university building. | $40.00 | $50.00 |
| 4 | Double parking or vehicles not placed wholly within the lines or boundaries of the parking space. | $40.00 | $50.00 |
| 5 | Parking in a reserved stall. | $50.00 | $60.00 |
| 6 | Using a disabled placard, but refusing to present a valid identification card issued under Chapter 291, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to an enforcement officer upon request. | $260.00 | $270.00 |
| 6a | Parking in a space reserved for persons with disabilities and: (i) Failing to properly display a windshield placard or special license plate authorizing use of such parking space in accordance with Part III of Chapter 291, Hawaii Revised Statutes; or (ii) Displaying an invalid windshield placard or special license plate; or (iii) Using a windshield placard or special license plate that was not issued to the driver or to any passengers occupying the vehicle in the parking space. |
$260.00 | $270.00 |
| 6b | Parking in a space reserved for persons with disabilities by a person who has been issued a valid windshield placard or special license plate that is currently in effect, but failing to properly display the windshield placard or special license plate. | $260.00 | $270.00 |
| 6c | With or without a valid windshield placard or special license plate: (i) Parking in an access aisle adjacent to a parking space reserved for persons with a disability; or (ii) Obstructing the ingress or egress to a parking space reserved for persons with a disability. |
$260.00 | $270.00 |
| 6d | Parking in a space reserved for persons with disabilities and refusing or failing to present an identification card issued under Chapter 291, Hawaii Revised Statutes, or the rules adopted thereunder to an enforcement officer upon request. | $260.00 | $270.00 |
| 7 | Parking in a loading zone longer than 15 minutes. | $50.00 | $60.00 |
| 8 | Parking in the wrong zone. | $40.00 | $50.00 |
| 9 | Parking without a permit. | $40.00 | $50.00 |
| 10 | Failure to display a permit or displaying it at an improper location. | $40.00 | $50.00 |
| 11 | Failure to pay the hourly or daily parking rate. | $40.00 | $50.00 |
| 12 | Falsifying information on an application. | $40.00 | $50.00 |
| 13 | Displaying or using an invalid permit or pass. | $50.00 | $60.00 |
| 14 | Possessing or using a counterfeit, altered, defaced, illegally transferred, or stolen permit. | $100.00 | $110.00 |
| 15 | Driving on areas other than streets, roads, or parking areas. | $97.00 | $107.00 |
| 16 | Exceeding the 15 mph or other posted speed limits on campus. | $97.00 | $107.00 |
| 17 | Reckless driving (operating a vehicle in disregard of the safety of persons or property). | $97.00 | $107.00 |
| 18 | Failure to heed the directions of a duly authorized officer. | $97.00 | $107.00 |
| 19 | Failure to heed the directions of an official sign and/or symbols. | $97.00 | $107.00 |
| 20 | Moving violations of the applicable county traffic code not otherwise specified herein. | $97.00 | $107.00 |
| 21 | Parking or operating a bicycle or moped in violation of the applicable county traffic code (not otherwise specified herein). | $72.00 | $82.00 |
| 22 | Failure to make a complete stop at an official stop sign. | $97.00 | $107.00 |
| 23 | Transporting a bicycle, moped, or motorcycle in an elevator. | $40.00 | $50.00 |
| 24 | Damaging campus signs, parking gates, or parking appurtenances. | $100.00 + cost of repair or replacement | $110.00 + cost of repair or replacement |
| 25 | Repeat violation of parking regulations. | $100.00 | $110.00 |
| 26 | Vehicle or its alarm system making excessive or unusual noise (noise in excess of the usual noise which would necessarily result from the operation of a vehicle when reduced to the minimum by a muffler) or causing a disturbance, or both. | $72.00 | $82.00 |
| 27 | Moving any barricade or parking within any barricaded area. | $97.00 | $107.00 |
Violation categories, fine amounts, payment deadlines, appeal timelines, and non-payment penalties are established under Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules (HAR) Title 20, Chapter 12. This table is provided for informational purposes only.
Read the complete UH Hilo Parking Policy.