Seat belts used in TV ad, governor’s campaign says

Question: Regarding Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s campaign commercial in which he plays a taxicab driver: Even though it is a commercial, aren’t the governor and his passengers supposed to buckle up? It’s the law.

Answer: Anticipating this question, since no shoulder harness could be seen in the commercial, Abercrombie’s campaign staff had a ready answer.

"The vehicle in question was shot in a studio, and the cab (a vintage Checker cab similar to what Abercrombie used to own) was built before shoulder harnesses were installed in cars," said Shane Peters, spokesman for the Abercrombie for Governor campaign committee.

Nevertheless, Abercrombie did buckle up with the car’s lap belt, he said. "We even took pictures just in case anyone asked," which he provided to Kokua Line.

Asked about the passengers, Peters said they also had their seat belts on, although no photos showing that were available.

While the governor-as-cabbie was belted in, he actually was not required to be restrained under the new "Universal Seat Belt" law that Abercrombie himself signed into law last year.

According to the state Department of Transportation, under that law, all passengers in a taxicab are required to use seat belts, and if there are no passengers, the taxi driver also must wear a seat belt.

However, if there are passengers, the cabbie does not have to wear a seat belt. The law acknowledges concerns that taxi drivers would be restricted from escaping if a passenger tried to rob or assault them. For more information, see bit.ly/1pcsn7G.

Meanwhile, if the locations in the commercial don’t look familiar, it’s because the exterior shots were not of Oahu. They were of Miami.

Peters confirmed a report by A. Kam Napier in Pacific Business News that the exteriors were shot in that Florida city because that’s where an old yellow Checker cab was located.

Question: The coastal walkway fronting the Sheraton Waikiki, historically somewhat narrow, has gotten even more confined during the past two years. The hotel’s naupaka hedge is within 4 feet of the coastal railing. Along the Diamond Head half of the walkway, people can barely pass each other. What about wheelchairs? According to a 2007 draft environmental assessment, the state has the duty to maintain the sea wall in a safe condition for pedestrian traffic. Waikiki Beach is one of Hawaii’s most important coastal walks. Can the state Department of Land and Natural Resources do something about this situation?

Answer: Based on your complaint, DLNR asked Sheraton Waikiki to trim back the hedge.

"It is the adjacent landowner’s responsibility to maintain vegetation," said DLNR spokeswoman Deborah Ward.

Mahalo

To Danny of UPS, who delivered a huge box the size of a small elephant back in June. He was kind enough to pick it up off his dolly and set it down on the living room floor for me. I know there have been stories on TV showing some delivery guys throwing boxes at houses on their routes, then taking off in a hurry. I’m applauding men like Danny who take the time, despite their busy schedules, to help a customer in need. — C. Palmer

———
Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.