Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Police may use disabled
stalls in emergencyQuestion: I saw a police officer using a handicapped parking stall at the Ewa Beach Town Center. He wasn't in uniform and was with his wife or girlfriend so he was probably off-duty. He put a police emblem on the dashboard of his car. Is this allowed? I once got ticketed because I forgot my parking placard so I don't think this is right.
Answer: There were at least two apparent violations in this case, but the only one that the man, who is not an officer, could be cited for was an outstanding traffic warrant, said Sgt. Bart Canada, coordinator of the Honolulu Police Department's disabled parking enforcement division.
Police were able to find the driver with the license number you provided. He allegedly used a police uniform shoulder patch "to make it look like he was a police officer," Canada said.
He didn't have a disabled parking placard, but said he was in the access aisle, which did not have the required restrictive signage, Canada said.
Because neither he nor any other officer personally witnessed any violation, Canada said the man could not be cited. However, he was made to pony up $300 for the outstanding warrant.
"But one thing leads to another sometimes," Canada added. The driver was applying to be an officer. "He blew his chances to be a police officer," he said.
In the meantime, to park in a disabled parking stall, you need a disabled parking placard.
"Police vehicles and all emergency vehicles are granted certain exceptions under the law," Canada said, but only when they are actually responding to an emergency "can they park there."
Q: Are the public school soda vending machines exempt from the outdoor billboard advertising law that prohibits vending machines with advertisers' names and logos being viewed from the street?
A: No, vending machines on school campuses are not exempt from the city sign ordinance that prohibits vending machines with company logos large enough to be seen from the street or sidewalk, said Loretta Chee, deputy director of the city Department of Planning and Permitting.
It doesn't matter where the vending machines are, "as long as they have a view that is to a public viewing spot," that would be considered illegal advertising, she said.
In that case, the vendors would "technically require sign permits," but most wouldn't be able to meet the sign permit regulations, Chee said. She added that the soda machine vendors "all know this."
Complaints can be directed to her department or to the school. "We can cite (the vendors for any infractions), she said, but it would be best if we can work with the school and the vendors."
Mahalo
To the sponsors of the Wednesday "Wildest Show in Town" at the Zoo and the Friday concerts at Kapiolani Park Bandstand. My family has been taking advantage of the great music and performances almost every Wednesday and Friday this summer and the quality and variety of the performances make them very enjoyable. -- Music-Loving Family
Useful phone numbers
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.
E-mail to kokualine@starbulletin.com