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Kokua Line
June Watanabe
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Bikers cannot block traffic without permit
Question: In early December, at about 2:45 p.m., I was stopped at a stoplight on Kahekili Highway. A large group of motorbikers were traveling on Kahekili. But when the light turned green for the car turning on to Kahekili, the bikers stopped traffic from turning, using their bikes to block the lanes, letting their fellow bikers continue crossing the intersection against the red light. Is this legal? Some of the cars that were trying to turn on to Kahekili got stuck blocking Kahekili traffic because of the bikers.
Answer: Unless the motorcyclists had a permit, they had no legal authority to stop traffic and proceed through a red light.
Blocking an intersection would be a traffic violation under Chapter 15-12.2 of the Hawaii Revised Ordinances, said Lt. Gordon Shiraishi, of the Honolulu Police Department.
"For any part of the roadway/highway to be blocked, a permit has to be issued," he said. "Most likely in this case, one was not issued."
However, Shiraishi hoped motorists could understand that motorbikers who travel in large groups try to stay together. Blocking the intersection is one way to accomplish this, he said.
"More importantly to them, however, it provides them with a safe maneuver to cross the intersection as a group," he said. "This is not something they commonly do all the time. Yes, again it is a traffic violation but I am sure they did not mean to inconvenience nor offend anyone by this."
He also said the bikers you saw were probably part of a club that rides around Honolulu on weekends.
On the weekend you saw them, he said the bikers might have been involved in a "Toys for Tots" drive.
"Since the event drew approximately 6,000 bikers, motorcycles on the road (that weekend) were probably more noticeable," Shiraishi said.
Q: The area around 428 Launiu St., between the Ala Wai and Kuhio Avenue, is looking like the slum of Waikiki. There are old tires and broken glass, and trash on the curbs and streets. Are there any plans to clean this up?
A: City road maintenance crews were sent to investigate and clear any roadway hazards in December, according to the Department of Facility Maintenance.
But properties adjacent to and across the street from 428 Launiu are privately owned and not under the city's jurisdiction.
Your complaint was forwarded to the city Department of Planning and Permitting. An inspection of the area on Dec. 13 "revealed no observable old tires, broken glass or bulky trash in the sidewalk."
However, it was noted that a notice of violation for overgrown weeds in the sidewalk area fronting 438 Launiu was issued in November.
Mahalo
To the person who turned in a black case to Ala Moana Center's security office on Halloween night. Though very belated, I want to thank you very much. That case carried my state ID and other cards. You took the time to go to security, and I appreciate what you did. -- No Name
Got a question or complaint? Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210, Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered. E-mail to
kokualine@starbulletin.com.
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