Kokua Line
Kokua Line
After extensive planning for our Fourth of July camping (we bought new sleeping gears and tent) at Keaweula Bay, also known as Yokohama Bay, we were disappointed to find out that we would not be able to camp for the duration of the weekend. We were told by a man in a uniform, who looked like a park ranger, that this was a "no camping" site and we would be cited if we stayed. The man was nice and said we could stay the night, but had to leave the next day. There were a lot of campers there that weekend and he just went down the line telling people they had to leave. Shouldn't there have been a sign or notice stating no camping was allowed? We camped there before with no problems. State has been lax about
enforcing camping bansKeaweula Bay is a state park and the uniformed man was probably an enforcement officer, said state parks Administrator Ralston Nagata.
That area is not a designated camping ground. "If there is not a sign, we will make sure to post one there," Nagata said.
Asked about your complaint that you were allowed to camp there previously, he said it was probably because the rule was not enforced in the past."
The only state parks where camping is allowed are Kahana Bay, Malaekahana, Keaiwa at the top of Aiea Heights Drive and Sand Island.
FYI: The city does not post signs to indicate "no camping allowed" since only 12 of 320 parks are for campers.
"We feel that a more practical approach would be to post signs indicating where camping is allowed," said parks spokeswoman Patti Nagao Kimoto.
The 12 sites are: Bellows Field Beach Park (50 sites, weekends only); Kahe Point Beach Park (14 sites, temporarily closed); Kea'au Beach Park (55 sites); Kualoa "B" Regional Park (30 sites); Mokuleia Beach Park (15 sites); Swanzy Beach Park (12 sites, weekends only); Hauula Beach Park (15 campsites); Kaiaka Bay Beach Park (7 sites); Kokololio Beach Park (5 sites); Lualualei Beach Park #1 (6 sites, summer only); Nanakuli Beach Park (6 sites); Waimanalo Bay Beach Park (10 sites); and Waimanalo Beach Park (23 sites).
Who can we report to about littering of cigarette butts and other litter from cars? Write to the Honolulu Police Department's Traffic Division, 801 S. Beretania St., Honolulu 96813. Give as much information as possible, but at least the day, time, location and license number of the vehicle, said HPD spokeswoman Jean Motoyama. It would also help if you specified the make and color of the vehicle.
Police will then send the registered owner of the vehicle a letter noting the infraction.
The Governor's Committee on Ending Litter used to send out such letters, but gave up the service because of a lack of funds.
To Ken Chee of Kahala Mandarin's Plumeria Beach Cafe. I recently lost the diamond setting from my ring. Not only was it valuable monetarily, but was of great sentimental value since it was given to me over 20 years ago by my parents. My husband and I tried to retrace my steps for the day but as he said, "It could be in any of a billion places. And even if someone finds it, no one is going to return such a beautiful diamond." But when I called the hotel, to my great surprise, I learned that Ken had found the diamond. I will be forever grateful for his honesty. -- Barbara A. Lee Mahalo
To neighbors who always throw firecrackers into our yard every New Year's and Fourth of July. We have to pick up your mess and we don't even pop any firecrackers at all. It's a shame what you're teaching your children. -- No name Auwe
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com
