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Kokua Line June Watanabe |
‘Clicking it’ is always
a good ideaQuestion: I applaud the Honolulu Police Department's program of "Click It or Ticket." However, why for only a limited time? This should be a continuing program if we are to have complete compliance with the law.
Answer: The program, aimed at making people aware of the importance of wearing seat belts, is actually sponsored by the state Department of Transportation and the police departments in all four counties, as well as the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and Safe Community coalitions.
It is part of a national "Click It or Ticket Mobilization" that takes place around the Memorial Day weekend.
During this year's nearly two-week campaign -- May 24 to June 6 -- police are stationed at various intersections to look specifically for seat-belt violations.
But that doesn't mean the problem is ignored the rest of the year.
On Oahu in 2003, for example, police issued 7,273 citations for seat-belt violations, said Michelle Yu, spokeswoman for the Honolulu Police Department.
During last year's "Click It or Ticket" campaign, officers issued about 1,900 of those citations, she said.
So buckle up, not only for safety, but to avoid the $77 fine if caught not using a seat belt.
Q: Regarding gamecocks and roosters, I know that the Hawaiian Humane Society no longer is the agency to call about complaints. Is it the Honolulu Police Department that we should be calling?
A: Since 2002, the Honolulu Police Department has been taking complaints about noisy roosters, barking dogs and other animal nuisance calls. You're advised to call 911.
It's a violation of the animal nuisance laws if a rooster crows (or dog barks) for 10 continuous minutes or intermittently for 30 minutes.
However, the humane society suggests you try talking to the owner first to try to resolve the problem.
Another option is the Mediation Center of the Pacific. But both sides have to agree to have the dispute mediated by the center, and each side is charged $50.
The Mediation Center does "a lot of neighbor to neighbor complaints," among them a "good number" dealing with barking dogs and such, a staff member said.
The number for the Mediation Center of the Pacific is 521-6767.
Mahalo
To Sarah. My 2 1/2-year-old son and I were on a day excursion on Friday, May 22. We caught the wrong bus from Dillingham Boulevard and ended up at the Kapolei Center.It was the middle of the day, he fell asleep and we were sweating trying to get to another bus stop.
We ended up at yet another wrong bus stop, so we went to McDonald's to cool off. Sarah saw that we were kind of stranded and offered us a ride. Luckily, she had a car seat in her car and gave us a ride all the way to Pearl City. She wouldn't accept anything in gratitude.
All I know is her first name, that she is from Nevada, is in the Navy and works at Kunia. She was our angel that day. -- Jerome Liu
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