HONOLULU -- The state will begin charging people to park in some formerly-free parking stalls around the Ala Wai Harbor in Waikiki starting Saturday.

The state Board of Land and Natural Resources reduced the number of free parking spots from 550 to 300, in hopes of raising some money for harbor maintenance and improving harbor security.

"Diamond Parking" has the contract to charge 25 cents an hour for parking in 250 paid parking stalls beginning Nov. 1.

Signs have been posted in the lots midway between the Ilikai and the old Ala Wai helipad, warning folks they'll have to pay to park.

"I'm worried about the surfers finding places to park that are free. We have construction workers and also hotel workers that park here -- takes a lot of stalls -- and you have your regulars who come here every day, you know, to surf, recreation," said Rob Howerton, St. Louis Heights Resident.

There are 300 Ala Wai parking stalls that will remain free and those are closest the ocean and along the Hilton Lagoon.