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Kokua Line
Question: What can be done if a car alarm goes off as it did one morning at 4:36 a.m. to 5:10 a.m.? It kept going off continuously on 9th Avenue. Police can handle
errant car alarmsAnswer: Call police at 911.
There's a whole article devoted to motor vehicle alarms in the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu (Chapter 41, Article 29).
If a vehicle alarm is activated for at least 10 minutes or for more than five continuous minutes, then police are authorized to go on public or private property to deactivate the alarm and have the vehicle towed, said Honolulu Police Department Lt. Carlton Nishimura.
"The law says we have to make a reasonable effort to contact the owner," he said. "If we cannot, then we will contact the tow company and the tow company is authorized to deactivate the alarm and tow the vehicle."
In that case, police will issue a citation, for which the bail forfeiture would be $57, he said.
However, if the alarm is silenced by the time police arrive, they can't do anything about it.
Even if police do arrive in time to hear the blare of the alarm, they will generally just give a warning, Nishimura said.
"Most of the time, we are able to contact the owner ... and we suggest that they have the vehicle alarm checked," he said. "We don't want to take enforcement action unless we really have to," such as for continual violations.
Q: Is it legal to sell air soft guns to minors? We know of a store that sells these to children and blocks out the warning which is preprinted on the box that states that the item should not be sold to minors. I understand they also have some type that is powered by gas. Is this legal or should they be reported to the Better Business Bureau?
A: According to Chapter 41-8 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, anyone under 18 is prohibited from buying an "air gun," which is defined as any gun, rifle or pistol, etc., designed to expel a pellet or BB shot via compressed air or gas, or by the action of a spring or elastic. It does not refer to any "firearm."
It is also unlawful for "any dealer to sell, lend, rent, give or otherwise transfer an air gun to any person under the age of 18 years" when he knows or has reasonable cause to believe the buyer is a minor or fails to make a "reasonable inquiry" about the buyer's age.
However, it is legal for someone to sell, lend, rent, give, etc., an air gun to a minor if the relationship is parent to child, guardian to ward or adult instructor to pupil.
We passed on your allegation about the specific store to the Honolulu Police Department to investigate.
Mahalo
To several people who helped us on a hectic Pro Bowl Sunday afternoon, Jan. 28, when we had a flat tire in the Red Hill area. Larry, a security guard at Moanalua Hillside, removed the flat and put the spare on. As we drove across the freeway overpass, we realized our spare was flat. MP Walker from Aliamanu Military Reservation assisted with traffic, while Kanoe and his family stopped to help. Kanoe repaired our original flat and put it back on. He was the only one to stop, while everyone else just rubbernecked. Thanks to Kanoe, we were able to get to Costco to repair our tire safely. -- A.G.S
Auwe
Stop feeding the wild birds in lower Aiea-Halawa area. They have fleas and leave their droppings all over the place. Be more considerate of your neighbors. -- Upset neighbor
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
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