Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: Two friends told me they were approached on Waikiki Beach by two women who asked them for $5 each after putting lei around their necks. The two women said they were raising money for the Boy Scouts. My friends were skeptical but they each gave $5. I wonder if this is going too far -- like begging. Is soliciting allowed on the beach? Some Waikiki lei sellers
are illegal peddlersAnswer: The situation you described is a familiar one to police.
The women were engaged in peddling, which is not allowed anywhere in the Waikiki peninsula, according to Honolulu police Lt. Dwight Rodrigues of the Waikiki police substation.
On top of that, an official with the Aloha Council of the Boy Scouts of America said his organization has nothing to do with such a fund-raiser.
"It happens off and on," Rodrigues said of the lei-selling scheme. "We've made numerous arrests ... for peddling."
He said police are always on the lookout for the peddlers, but "they're always on the lookout for police."
The peddlers tend to be females offering plumeria leis.
"To be honest with you, a lot of tourists like it," Rodrigues said. So the majority of people don't complain, he said. "It depends on how they go about peddling. Sometimes they just ask if (people) want to buy a lei for five bucks. A lot of tourists love the plumeria and will just pay for it, but we've had the really aggressive ones who put the lei on (tourists) and tell them, 'You owe me five bucks.' That's when people tend to complain."
The Waikiki peninsula is defined as beginning at the entrance to the Ala Wai Canal, along the canal to Kapahulu Avenue, along the Diamond Head property line of Kapahulu Avenue to the ocean, along the ocean back to the entrance of the canal.
The penalty for peddling is a maximum $1,000 fine and/or 30 days in jail.
Q: If overnight camping, feeding birds and walking dogs is illegal in Ala Moana Park, why does it go on daily? I don't feel we should have to report to HPD every time we see it happening. Police are there constantly; shouldn't they correct this on their own?
A: "It is a constant effort on the part of officers" to enforce all manner of law in the park, including illegal camping, illegal parking, illegal consumption of alcohol, feeding birds and bringing dogs, said Honolulu police Capt. Ed Nishi of District I.
But it is also a matter of prioritizing calls, with a park sweep not being of a high priority.
Officers "have to make the right choice," Nishi said, "but they do get down (to Ala Moana) as frequently as possible."
Police issued more than 100 citations in Ala Moana Park in April alone for various violations, he said.
Mahalo
Our motorcycle skidded on some loose gravel at the intersection of Lumiaina and Lumiauau streets in Waikele on Memorial Day. A couple in a black, Chevrolet pickup truck and a gentleman from a nearby townhouse immediately came to our aid, staying with us until we were able to safely continue on our way. Their concern and assistance was much appreciated. -- Robert and Kathy of Nuuanu
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.
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