Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Stores cannot police
parking for disabledQuestion: From time to time, when I go to stores, especially Wal-Mart, there is hardly a space for handicapped people to park because the space is taken by people who really shouldn't be there. How can this be enforced? I know it's been enforced at Sam's Club. Something needs to be done.
Answer: First off, a store or business has no enforcement powers.
A business or other entity that provides public parking also has to provide access for the disabled, and it has to have the proper signs designating the restricted parking stalls, explained Sgt. Bart Canada, the Honolulu Police Department's disabled-parking coordinator.
But that's the extent of its liability, he said.
"Enforcement comes under law enforcement," he said, which means either a police officer or an HPD-trained volunteer parking enforcement officer. One of those officers has to personally witness a violation before a citation can be issued.
Unfortunately, "there are not enough of us out there" to be able to nab all the scofflaws, Canada said. "We're trying really hard, but there's only so much we can do."
He also emphasized that "not all persons appear disabled," adding, "Some people have disabilities that do sporadically impair their mobility but is not that obvious."
That can include heart or respiratory problems or neurological conditions. And not every disabled person has a prosthetic device or requires a wheelchair, cane or crutches, he said.
Officers also have to make sure there is compliance with the sign law, "because if there is improper (sign) compliance, we cannot enforce" the law.
"We're working diligently with the courts to try and improve the enforcement to protect the rights of the disabled," Canada said.
There are about 30 citizen volunteers who help enforce the disabled-parking laws. Although they are volunteers, they have to meet the minimum background requirements for the Police Department, Canada emphasized, including be over 21 and under 70 years of age; have a high school diploma or equivalent; be a U.S. citizen; and have no serious criminal record.
He is not currently recruiting, but for those interested, call Canada at 529-3509.
Auwe
To all the people who I believe shouldn't be using the handicap-parking stalls. I expect to see someone with a physical handicap using those stalls, but it appears to me that a lot of people are abusing the system. -- No Name(See answer above from police Sgt. Bart Canada.)
Q: I am a previous resident of Hawaii and return to the Big Island at least once a year to visit my sister. On my next visit, I would like to go cliff fishing or from the shore. Could you tell me about Hawaii's licensing requirements for noncommercial fishing?
A: According to the state Department of Land & Natural Resources, you do not need any license to fish noncommercially from the shore, cliff or anywhere else.
Call DLNR for more information (587-0330) or check the Web site www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/lic_permit.htm, which notes restrictions on what can be caught.
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