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Question: How would someone know that the fine for violating Section 15-14.8 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, parking in a tow-away zone, is subject to a $50 fine?
Answer: It took us a while to get the answer, because the amount of the fine, as you discovered, is not referred to in that section.
In fact, all the fines for myriad parking, moving, equipment and other traffic-related violations that motorists could be cited for on Oahu are not easily found anywhere. The total number of possible fines/violations is more than 400.
We asked the state Judiciary whether its Traffic Violations Bureau could point us to a listing of all the fines and were provided two files — one containing more commonly cited moving violations issued in the First Circuit (Oahu) and the other containing the more commonly cited parking violations.
Judiciary spokeswoman Marsha Kitagawa said the fines and fees listed "are provided as a combined total for each violation that may be charged in accordance with the governing authorities," referring to the Hawaii Revised Statutes, the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu and Hawaii Administrative Rules.
She said the "cards" listing the fines are used by police officers and judges on Oahu as "quick reference guides."
Even with all the fines and fees listed on the two cards, Kitagawa said they are not all-inclusive. She said some possible parking and moving violations aren’t listed simply because they are rarely cited.
Meanwhile, "the actual amount that someone ends up paying may vary if, for example, a waiver of fees is granted or the court finds that mitigating circumstances existed," Kitagawa said.
Here are the links to the parking violations/fines — www.scribd.com/doc/37064809/Parking-violations-and-fines — and the moving violations/fines — www.scribd.com/doc/37064724/Moving-violations-and-fines.
Kitagawa pointed out two corrections to the card listing moving violations:
» "HRS 291-14(c) Persons under 12 years in pickup truck bed" should be changed to read "Persons 12 years and under in pickup bed."
» "HRS 291C-101 Basic speed rule," which lists the amount owed as $97, should read $147.
Question: Both Mufi Hannemann and Neil Abercrombie claim Honolulu is the 12th largest city in America. Is this true?
Answer: It’s true if you consider the entire island of Oahu to be Honolulu.
Although "Honolulu" designates a certain urban area, the entire island is "the City and County of Honolulu."
In that case, based on an estimated population of 907,574 in 2009, Honolulu would be the 12th largest city in the United States.
Otherwise, the U.S. Census Bureau lists Honolulu as a "census-designated place" — not a "city" — made up of the urban part of Oahu. In this designation, Honolulu was ranked 50th with a 2009 population of 375,571.
MAHALO
To Emory, an agent with Hawaiian Airlines, who was so kind and generous in helping me get to the right place to board my plane to California on Aug. 26. He even helped check in my luggage. This little old lady was so lost, after I was dropped off in the wrong area, so I really appreciate his help. And he declined to accept any gratuity. — Sonia
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 e-mail kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
