Honolulu Star-Bulletin - Kokua Line
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Kokua Line

By June Watanabe

Tuesday, August 3, 1999


Unmoved cars, trucks
irk residents

Question: As I type this, a truck has been parked over 84 hours in the 1100 block of Kaialiu. Doesn't the law specify a four-hour parking limit for vehicles over 10,000 pounds?

Q: Can you do something about vehicles parked for long periods on public streets, specifically a block on Palolo Avenue between Kalua Road and Kikilia Place? Three vehicles have been parked for months. Not all have current safety stickers or vehicle registrations. Isn't there a law that vehicles cannot remain parked on streets for more than 24 hours?

Q: I go for walks twice a day and see two vehicles parked all the time without moving in the 3300 block of Loulu Street. They've been parked there for months. I don't think it belongs to the people who live there. Can you check on this?

Answer: The complaints, with license plate numbers, were sent to Dennis Kamimura, the city's motor vehicle and licensing chief.

His abandoned vehicles staff would check. The number to call with such complaints, during regular business hours, is 733-2530. Provide as much detail as possible.

Technically, a vehicle that's not been moved for 24 hours is considered abandoned. But what often happens is that the vehicle is moved slightly after an inspector tags it. If it is moved even just a little bit, it can't be considered abandoned.

Regarding the truck, commercial vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or more are prohibited from parking on a public street for more than four hours. Exceptions are public utility or construction vehicles engaged in work.

If it is not abandoned, you should call police at 911.

Q: I was going to work and stopped at a stop sign. The car in front had a bumper sticker that I found really offensive. It said: "It's the speed thing, mother------." I know people have rights to free speech, but don't I have a right not to have obscenities put in my face? Is there a law against it or anything the police can do?

A: The city corporation counsel's office says, "It may be tasteless, but it's protected as free speech," said Honolulu Police Department spokeswoman Michelle Yu.

Auwe

To the person who dropped a five-gallon tub of white paint on Kamehameha Highway the morning of July 29. It splattered all over my car. -- No name

Mahalo

To all who aided my husband when he tripped and fell in the parking lot of Kaimuki Shopping Center at 5:30 p.m. June 30, especially the lady who offered tissues from her car, a gentleman who offered help, and people from Longs Drugs. -- Grateful family

Auwe

To the driver of an American-made pickup truck who rammed into my gray BMW about 6 p.m. June 21, on the H-1, Ewa-bound, about a mile before the stadium. The force made me bump the van in front. The van driver and I both pulled over. The pickup driver did the same and got out to inspect the damage to his truck. The next thing we see, he's speeding away! This is a good example of how driver etiquette has diminished in Hawaii. It is common nowadays to see motorists knowingly go through red lights, change lanes without signaling, cross double solid lines, change lanes in tunnels, tailgate and in general, totally disregard traffic codes. What's the hurry? -- D. Tom





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




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