State permit lets promoter restrict park restroom use

Question: I was told that all the entrances to Kakaako Waterfront Park were going to be closed for the Love Festival on July 21, and that no one would be able to use the two restrooms unless they went to the festival. Why was that allowed? How would people going to the beach have access to restrooms? The Point Panic area was open to the public. Why didn’t the festival organizers have to provide their own portable restrooms?

Answer: Organizers of the “Love Festival” (officially, Electronic Dance Music

Concert) did set up portable toilets outside the event area for general public use, said Stu Glauberman, spokesman for the Hawaii Community Development Authority, which oversees the Kakaako area.

Those were in addition to 75 port-a-potties organizers provided inside the gated area, as specified in the commercial use permit  HCDA issued for the event, Glauberman said.

Administrative rules for Kakaako Waterfront Park allow the HCDA to issue permits for commercial activities.

“Each request (is) considered on its own merits, including effects on the park area, facilities and the public’s use and enjoyment,” Glauberman said.

A portion of the proceeds from the festival went to Kupu, a nonprofit organization in Kakaako that helps youth and young adults succeed in life, he said.

Events International, the promoter, was allowed to restrict the park’s amphitheater venue, including the two public restrooms, to concertgoers, beginning at 3 p.m. However, the two public restrooms should have remained open to the public during setup and break-down, Glauberman said.

 “HCDA continues to review policies and practices that will enable people to enjoy the park in many ways,” he said. In the future, however, it would “do more to notify the public in advance of park closures for special events.”

Meanwhile, Glauberman said HCDA is continuing to look into a complaint that security guards used physical force to prevent a man from entering the public restroom closest to Point Panic during the festival.

Question: Why does it take so long to get a state ID card? I was there one day and waited 21⁄2 hours and still I did not get it yet. There are no chairs to sit down and my feet and back were getting sore.

Answer: Unfortunately, 21⁄2 hours is a “typical” wait time for obtaining a state ID card.

“There have been times when the wait time is even longer, depending on the time of day,” said Liane Moriyama, administrator of the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center, which oversees the state ID Office. “It is especially heavy now during the summer.”

She said the new central issuance system, which began July 9, has not had any effect on how long the process takes.

The central issuance system means that applicants no longer will get the ID card immediately after submitting the required documents and paying the fee. Instead, they will be given a temporary ID, with the card to be mailed from a secured facility (see is.gd/NjEi8M).

Moriyama said applicants can minimize the wait by submitting an application online at www.stateid.ehawaii.gov and scheduling an appointment. For the appointment, the applicant is asked to bring the confirmation number, which starts with a “W,” along with all required documents, and does not have to wait in the regular line, she said.

Meanwhile, Moriyama said there are chairs for applicants. If all chairs are taken, the state ID staff or special duty police officer on site can help applicants find a seat.

Auwe

To the man picking my lilikoi on July 9. I chased you off because I didn’t want you to get hurt falling down the cliff. I didn’t think to offer you my ladder. I apologize. Please return and I will show you where I keep the ladder.

 — Jon Crocker

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