Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: Mayor Harris assured everyone that after the pets on parade event he would ensure laws prohibiting animals in Kapiolani Park would be strictly enforced. But recently, there have been all kinds of photos in the two dailies showing dogs in the park, including dogs drinking at a water fountain. I don't know anyone who wants to drink out of a dog dish! Why is the Star-Bulletin promoting such outrageous behavior and why don't police enforce the law? There are a lot of people with allergies; my son would die if he came in contact with a dog. Dogs kapu
in Kapiolani
Park properAnswer: Having dogs in Kapiolani Park proper is against the law, but there are three locations around the park where people can legally walk leashed dogs, said George Souza, of the city Department of Customer Services.
However, because of complaints, the parks department has decided it will no longer allow the Hawaiian Humane Society to hold its PetWalk fund-raiser in Kapiolani Park. The ninth annual PetWalk was held in June.
HHS spokeswoman Eve Holt confirmed receiving a letter from parks director William Balfour "expressing concern" about the PetWalk in Kapiolani Park.
She emphasized the HHS has always obtained a permit and "we have always followed the rules to the letter and left the park cleaner than when we got there."
Permits are to allow specific use of an area not normally open to such use, she pointed out. The Honolulu Marathon is an example, she said. "You don't allow thousands people to run down the street without a permit -- that's not usually what they're allowed to do. That's the same thing as allowing PetWalk with a permit."
Still, Holt said the HHS understands Balfour's "concern about some possible confusion ... We hope to take a positive approach and help resolve the concerns that the parks director has."
Holt said the PetWalk "will continue," but where it will be held is uncertain at this point.
She invited the public to attend meetings to help establish "reasonable rules" regarding dogs in public parks and beaches. The next one is set for Saturday, 8:30-11:30 a.m., at the HHS, 2700 Waialae Ave. Call 946-2187.
Meanwhile, regarding dogs in the Kapiolani Park area in general, Souza said the three areas they are allowed are:
As far as enforcement, you should call police if you see the law being violated, he said. There are two "rangers" assigned to the park (one is now on extended military leave), but they are not authorized to issue citations for that offense, Souza said.A triangular park at the Diamond Head-makai end of Kapiolani Park, near the water fountain;
There are "ample signs to make people aware that having dogs in Kapiolani Park proper is a violation," he said.
Mahalo
To a man wearing a red-striped shirt on a United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Honolulu on Aug. 11. I am a semi-invalid and not able to get around by myself. This man saw me struggling to get out of my seat. He helped to lift me up, then walked me all the way back to the restroom. There, he waited and brought me back to my seat. I forgot to ask his name, but hope he reads this and knows how much I appreciate his kindness. -- No name
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