Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: I have seen a man riding his three-wheeled bicycle adorned with a high-flying flag driving through the streets of Honolulu. You must have noticed him on the smaller streets of Honolulu only because there is usually a long line of cars behind him all trying to get around him even at the cost of their own lives. I am not against handicapped people trying to get around, but isn't there a law about riding along public streets? What can be done about this accident waiting to happen? Three-wheeled bike
makes it a slow goAnswer: As long as it is a vehicle that's generally recognized as a bicycle and is not deliberately impeding traffic or breaking any law, he has "the same rights and privileges" to use the public streets as any other biker, said Sgt. Clyde Yamashiro of the Honolulu Police Department's Traffic Division.
However, if there is a bike lane, he should be traveling in the bike lane, he said.
The fact that he is handicapped is not be a factor -- either in giving him special privileges or denying him the right to use the public streets, Yamashiro said.
Hawaii Revised Statutes 291-C defines bicycles as "every vehicle propelled solely by human power upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels, and including any vehicle generally recognized as a bicycle though equipped with two front or two rear wheels except a toy bicycle (tricycle)."
Q: How much did the city's Fourth of July picnic at Kapiolani Park cost, and who paid for it? Did taxpayers pay for other people to picnic?
A: Star-Bulletin City Hall reporter Gordon Pang is trying to find out how much the city spent on the event, which apparently will be footed in part by taxpayers. Figures still have not been released by the city administration, however.
On June 27, Pang reported GOP criticism of the picnic, which featured top entertainers and free cotton candy, popcorn, shave ice and watermelon.
At that time, city Managing Director Ben Lee said he didn't know how much the picnic was going to cost and how much would be funded through tax dollars.
He also defended the event as not being political, but a form of economic development.
Mahalo
To Trina Kernstock. An amazing thing happened during our No. 87 express bus ride into town Wednesday, June 6. Trina, the driver, turned and thanked the occupants for allowing her to transport them to work for the past three months. This was her last day on our route. We will all miss Trina for her perpetual smile and always upbeat attitude early in the morning. Giving of her aloha is what really made her special to those of us who rode with her, and yet, it didn't appear if this was anything out of the ordinary. -- Wally Wake
Auwe
To the blockheads who decided to do roadwork on Meheula Parkway -- the main street in Mililani -- both ways at the same time. They should have done it in one direction at a time instead of at the same time. It's blocking traffic throughout Mililani. -- Steve
Got a question or complaint?
Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com