Question: I would like to know: Is it mandatory for children riding bicycles to wear a helmet in Hawaii?
Answer: Yes, if they are younger than 16.
Hawaii Revised Statutes 291C-150 specifies that “no person under 16 years of age shall operate a bicycle upon a street, bikeway, or any other public property unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that has been tested by a nationally recognized agency such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the National Safety Council, or the Children’s Safety Network, and is designed to fit the user and protect against head trauma.”
The statute goes on to say that the helmet requirement also applies to a child riding in a safety seat attached to a bicycle or in a trailer towed by a bicycle.
Under the law, anyone “who provides bicycles for hire” should not rent bikes unless all riders and passengers under 16 are wearing helmets.
The child’s parent or legal guardian is liable for any violation, which is punishable by a fine up to $25.
You can read the full statute at 808ne.ws/2flwQpW.
Q: It’s been three years and the University of Hawaii still doesn’t have a mascot. Are they going to do anything about it?
A: Not anytime soon. “The evaluation of a mascot is certainly on the university’s to-do list, but there is nothing to report at this time. The UH community and general public will certainly be involved in the process when the time is appropriate,” said Dan Meizenthal, a UH spokesman.
Q: Can I use TSA Precheck if I use a mobility scooter?
A: Yes, assuming that you otherwise qualify for the program, which pre-screens travelers so that they may pass through security lines more quickly at U.S. airports; eligibility is not determined by a person’s mobility.
Like other TSA Precheck members, you generally would be allowed to leave on your shoes, belt and light jacket as you pass through the airport security checkpoint, and leave your laptop computer and “and 3-1-1 compliant liquids” in your carry-on bag, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
How your body would be screened depends on whether you can walk a little without the scooter. If you can stand and walk unassisted, you may pass through the metal detector or the advanced-imaging scanner.
If you cannot, you would be patted down while seated in the scooter.
The pat-down would be conducted by a Transportation Security Administration officer of your gender. You may request that the screening be done privately, accompanied by a witness of your choice.
“Since pat-down screening is conducted to determine whether prohibited items are concealed under clothing, sufficient pressure must be applied in order to ensure detection. You should inform the officer if you have a medical condition or any areas that are painful when touched,” according to the department’s website.
A TSA security officer also would inspect your scooter; any removable pouches or bags would be taken off and put through the X-ray screening.
Q: What’s that website where you can see Oahu property records?
A: There are several, but one of the easiest to navigate is realproperty honolulu.com, the website of the city’s Real Property Assessment Division. Click on the “property records search” icon to search for a property by address, map or parcel ID (TMK).
Auwe
Auwe to the candidates who still have their campaign signs up, almost two weeks after the election. There were so many signs in illegal places, and they are still up. Shame! — A reader
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.
