Waikiki will see fewer parades marching through the streets beginning next year under a bill signed into law by Mayor Mufi Hannemann.

The new ordinance limits the number of parades to 39 each year, compared with the 60 or more that had become common in recent years.

Residents, drivers and businesses in Waikiki had complained about the traffic clogs and disruptions caused by the growing number of events that closed streets in the resort community.

The law specifies that free expression is not limited by the proposal. The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i raised the concern that First Amendment rights not be limited.

"We understand the concerns of some Waikiki residents about the number of street closures in Waikiki," Hannemann said upon signing the bill this week. "However, many of these events have a long history and are vitally important to our visitor industry, and there are legal considerations including the First Amendment that limit our ability to restrict certain events."

He said he was happy to forge a workable solution with the community, visitor industry groups, parade sponsors and the City Council.

The law deals primarily with events within the Waikiki special district, the area bounded by Kapahulu Avenue and the Ala Wai Canal. It also: