Question: When does the new law that prevents an individual from camping out at a bus stop take effect?
Answer: The Oahu law intended to deter such behavior took effect June 14, according to the city. The law states that “no person may lie down in a designated bus stop area, or on a tarp, towel, blanket, sleeping bag, bedding, chair, bench, tent floor, cardboard, or any other object or material located in a designated bus stop area, between the hours of 4:00 a.m. on one day and 1:00 a.m. of the following day.”
There are exceptions, including for people unable to comply with an order to move due to a medical condition or emergency. Read the law at 808ne.ws/busstop.
Q: Is there an age or grade that you have to continue schooling?
A: Yes. Hawaii’s compulsory attendance law is by age. It applies to children who have turned 5 by July 31 of the school year and have not reached age 18 by Jan. 1 of any school year. There are exceptions, including for 15-year-olds who are “suitably employed” and 16-year- olds who are chronically absent.
The rules are spelled out in Hawaii Revised Statutes 302S-1132, 808ne.ws/comped.
Q: What is the distance one can legally park their vehicle from a fire hydrant? Also, where is this stated in the law?
A: You cannot park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant on Oahu, as stated in Sec. 15-14.1(a)(4) of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, 808ne.ws/15141a4.
It says that “no person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the law or the directions of a police officer or traffic control device …within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.”
To answer your followup questions: No sign is required and “within” means less than, so, yes, at 8 feet away your neighbor is parking too close.
Q: When will absentee ballots be mailed out?
A: On Oahu, absentee ballots will be mailed on Oct. 16, according to the city clerk’s elections division. That’s three weeks ahead of the general election, which is Nov. 6.
Auwe
Auwe to the son and daughter-in-law who recently took their elderly mother grocery shopping. Daughter-in-law paid for her one item and refused to pay for the mother’s purchase. Mother fumbled in her wallet and struggled to get out her credit card. She struggled again to scan her card. As a cashier, I have seen so many strangers pay for purchases made by elderly customers. Shame on this couple. — Experienced cashier
Mahalo
I lost my wallet at the Gelato Bar at Nordstrom. It was near closing when I realized it must have fallen out of my pants pocket. I went back but found no wallet. I inquired if anyone had turned it in, but no one had. I then went to check with the Guest Services Center but the doors were already closed. I called Security but no one had turned in a wallet. I left Ala Moana Center and went home thinking about having to contact my credit card companies to report my lost credit cards, get a replacement driver’s license, and everything I would need to do to change my online accounts. When I arrived home, there were two young gentlemen waiting. They asked if I was the person who had lost a wallet. Oh my gosh, I couldn’t believe it. They had driven to my home to greet me with my wallet. I was so glad they found my wallet, but they blew me away by delivering it to me at my home. I wanted to get their names and contact information so I could thank them properly but they said, “That’s OK, no need.” I want to say a big mahalo to these two young men. Not only did they find and return my wallet, they made me feel so good about the good in the world. — 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.
