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By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Waikiki street performers
while city waits for hearing
Star-BulletinWaikiki street performers have been given a reprieve by the city, which yesterday agreed to hold off on enforcement of a new city ordinance that curtails their activities.
The ordinance had been scheduled to take effect July 12, but the city now will wait until a hearing on a request by the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii for a preliminary injunction.
That likely will happen in the next three to four weeks, according to attorneys from both sides.
The ordinance requires musicians, mimes and other street performers to obtain permits and restricts those performances to six designated spots in Waikiki during specified hours.
Proponents of the ordinance say it's a necessary health and safety measure to curb the performances because they draw large crowds along Kalakaua Avenue sidewalks that spill onto the street.
Brent White, ACLU legal director, said the ordinance affects not just the free speech rights of street performers but anyone attempting to express a religious, political or artistic view.
The ACLU is representing saxophonist Steve Sunn, who goes by the name Sonny Beethoven, street magician Steve Williams and Shawn Kawelo of the Greater Mount Zion Holiness Church Youth Group.
White yesterday said he was pleased by the city's decision.
Corporation Counsel David Arakawa said the delay in enforcement will give the city "more time to brief the arguments and prepare our case."
http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us
