Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: There is a woman who regularly sets up a table near the showers at Sandy Beach who sells snacks and beverages as well as rents out boogie boards and other beach-related items. Along her table she hangs signs that say, "Stop killing babies," "Stop eating animals," "No illicit sex or gambling." I am offended by the signs she posts and do not believe that she should rent out boogie boards to tourists who are unaware of how dangerous Sandy's can be. Is this woman legally allowed to sell/rent her wares at Sandy's? No beach gear rentals
from Krishna sectAnswer: The woman has a constitutional and city-approved right to be there as a representative of a religious sect, said William Balfour, director of the city Department of Parks and Recreation.
However, that right does not extend to her renting out boogie boards and other items. Balfour said lifeguards did check on the activity after receiving your complaint but did not observe any rental business.
The woman is a representative of the Sri Ram Society, a Hare Krishna sect, which has a permit from the parks department for "the sale of message-bearing merchandise and sanctified food," Balfour said.
This religious activity and her expression of speech are protected under the First Amendment, he said.
Also at Sandy's is a commercial lunch wagon, but that operates through a competitive bid contract, up for rebid at the end of the year, Balfour said.
If you think the woman is overstepping her rights, call 395-2211 or speak to a lifeguard.
Q: I have a complaint about two construction workers who illegally used the entryway to the new road on Waimano Home Road about 7 a.m. last Thursday. They were in separate vehicles on Moanalua Road and turned left onto Waimano Home Road, then drove up the sidewalk between the barriers barricading the new road. Surely there are legal access ways for construction workers to get to the site, such as going around by Sam's Club. Instead they chose to hold back the traffic at that intersection while they tried to maneuver into their own accessway. Who can we complain to?
A: We passed on your complaint to Rod Haraga of KFC Engineering Management, which is coordinating the work of several different contractors in the area for the city. Haraga acknowledged the potential safety problem involving the "lazy" drivers.
"Fortunately, we opened the road (as of 3 p.m. Thursday) ... so they cannot do that any longer," he said. The Kuala Street extension connects Moanalua and Acacia roads.
Workers are just about completing work on the Manana Community Park and Youth Facility at the corner of Kuala Street and Waimano Home Road, Haraga noted. The facility should be completed this month, "so consequently, the workers are going to be out of there" after finishing the landscaping, he said.
At one time, Haraga explained, there were seven different contractors working in the area, so "the city chose KFC to coordinate the efforts between he contractors."
Mahalo
To the very thoughtful person who sent my employee ID badge back in the mail after I accidentally lost it. Lucky I live Hawaii!! Now I won't have to have another mug shot taken! -- Ron Schaeffer, archivist, Bishop Museum
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Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
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Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
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