Whatever
Happened...
Question: What ever happened to the hot-air balloon that claimed its constitutional right to fly over Waikiki with advertising? Helicopter’s aerial
advertising ends at
city’s requestAnswer: Skysign International Inc.'s helicopter, not hot-air ballon, took to Waikiki's skies April 5, 1996, with aerial advertising, and voluntarily halted operations 17 days later at the city's request.
Officials said city laws and state statute barred the activity, although Skysign thought the Federal Aviation Administration should decide. The city said regulating air space was not the issue -- billboard advertising was.
The City Council passed a bill in May 1996 making it illegal for Skysign to resume its aerial advertising practice over Waikiki. Skysign filed suit in 1997 asking for an injunction against the city administration, but lost.
According to Lorrie Chee, deputy planning director, Skysign had said it would appeal, "but as far as I know they haven't. The last time I saw them in the skies was back in 1996."
Chee said the last report of Skysign's aerial adventures was mid-1997 over a Gloria Estefan concert.
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Whatever happened to . . . runs Wednesdays.