WHAT'S THE LAW?
Parking on grass annoys Ewa resident
Question: As property owners in Ewa Beach, it's our responsibility to maintain the City & County property between the fence line and street. My neighbors and I keep this area clean, mowed, watered and safe for pedestrians. What rights do we have to keep vehicles off the grass?
Instead of parking on the road, they park on the well-maintained areas. The police drive by often and do nothing.
Answer: From Mike Callahan, Legal Aid housing attorney: It depends if the property between the fence line and sidewalk is actually City & County (C&C) property, or it's your property/part of your plot, and the C&C merely has an easement in that strip. In any case, if the C&C owns the property, your rights are diminished somewhat; but if the C&C has an easement, then the situation is a little better. In either case, you can sue to enjoin the C&C or people from parking there. If the C&C owns it, then there's probably an ordinance preventing it and you can sue the city to enforce. Also, if you know who is parking there, you can sue them to enjoin them from using the strip. Your best first step is to write the City & County.
Q: A blind friend of mine thinks he qualifies for SSI. What is SSI and how does he apply?
A: From Stacia Silva, Legal Aid managing attorney: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal financial assistance program run by the Social Security Administration. Recipients don't need to have work histories; disabled children are also potentially eligible. SSI is for people who: 1) are U.S. citizens, nationals, or eligible non-citizens; 2) live in the United States; 3) have limited income/assets; and 4) are 65 or older; blind; or disabled (physically or mentally). To apply, go to your local Social Security office, call SSA at (800) 772-1213 for an appointment, or go to their Web site: www.socialsecurity.gov. Parents/guardians can apply for eligible children under 18. Apply as soon as possible; you may receive benefits dating back to the date of your application.
Legal Aid Society of Hawaii operates statewide. Practice areas include housing, public benefits, consumer and family law but not criminal law. For information, call 536-4302. Submit questions by e-mail to
dawalla@lashaw.org or by U.S. mail to Legal Aid Q&A, 924 Bethel St., Honolulu, HI 96813.