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Kokua Line
Question: My sister-in-law and I recently went to the movies in Mililani, getting out about 12:30 a.m. As we walked to our car, parked in front of City Mill, we noticed 30 to 40 teenagers around the car. There were beer bottles and beer cans on the ground and we saw the kids drinking alcohol. We called police on our cell phone and about five police cars showed up 10 minutes later. Moviegoer unhappy
with drinking teens,
cops’ reactionThe police told the kids to leave. But how can they put all those kids on the road knowing that they had been drinking? One officer told us they couldn't do anything because this was private property, because they didn't actually see any of them take a drink and because they couldn't smell any alcohol on them. Well, I could smell the alcohol. Why weren't all these underage drinkers arrested? The police were putting many lives in danger by letting all of them drive away in their cars.
Answer: Your complaint originally was published as a letter to the editor, but we wanted to get an explanation from the Honolulu Police Department.
The officer was correct in saying they could not arrest the teens "because there is no state law or city ordinance which prohibits underage drinking in private places, including a shopping center parking lot," said HPD spokeswoman Michelle Yu.
Asked about bars, which also are private, she said underage drinking is specifically prohibited in liquor establishments.
"The officer is also right that actual violations must be witnessed by police" before action can be taken, Yu said.
That all said, police Sgt. Faye Tamura, of the Wahiawa Police Station, said the officers should have called the parents of the teenagers to pick up their children, Yu said.
"This would have prevented the teens from driving, as well as let their parents know what is going on," she said.
Further, there is a statute relating to "injurious behavior by minors" which may have been applicable in this situation, Yu said.
She said Tamura was to send a memo to all Wahiawa watches informing them "of the pertinent statutory and traffic laws."
Q: Can you please publish the phone number to contact the correct people to get posters and notices removed from utility poles or any government property?
A: Call the city Department of Customer Services, 523-4381, and it will refer the matter to the proper authorities.
Mahalo
To the most capable police officer who was directing traffic at the end of our complex in Hawaii Kai during Sunday's Honolulu Marathon. In the 13 years that I have been a victim of endless waits, Officer Vernon Kleinschmidt established a pattern for cars to leave with runners scarcely missing a beat. It was fun to witness. It was the first time he did this. He should be congratulated on his skill and efficiency. He is a credit to our police department. -- D.T.
Auwe
I am calling on my cell phone as I am stuck in traffic on Kalanianaole Highway because of the Honolulu Marathon. It is backing up thousands of motorists and taking away hundreds of officers from other duties.Why don't they have this in a more confined area like Campbell Industrial Park, where there is no traffic on a Sunday? Or take it somewhere else. Our traffic is already bad; we don't need this. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way. -- B. Lee
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