Question: Is there anything that can be done about neighbors with roosters? They crow when it is still dark and they crow sometimes for 45 minutes straight. I call HPD in the morning (sometimes at 4 a.m.) to have them talk to the owner. I don’t know if they do. I was given the phone number of people who were supposed to go to the house to speak to owners or take away the roosters. Then a month ago I saw on the news that these people were not doing their job so the contract with them was broken.
Answer: You can still call Royos Farming, which remains the “crowing rooster contractor” until Jan. 31.
Under the current contract, Royos Farming is required to visit the property of the reported nuisance rooster, providing educational material to help the property owner quiet the noisy fowl, explained Dennis Kamimura, administrator of the city Motor Vehicle & Licensing Division.
The contractor also is to advise the property owner of the animal nuisance ordinance, as well as the ordinance limiting the number of chickens on residentially zoned property (two).
If the problem is not resolved and a second complaint is submitted, Kamimura said the contractor will inform the property owner that unless appropriate action is taken, the matter will be referred to HPD, which has the power to issue citations.
“These violations require personal appearance in court,” he said.
The news story you referred to reported on complaints by some animal rights activists that Royos Farming should not have the contract to round up roosters because it allegedly was involved in cockfighting.
Hawaii News Now quoted a city spokeswoman as saying, “The city currently has no evidence linking the crowing roosters and feral chickens captured under the contract with the actual cockfighting. However, the city takes allegations of illegal activity seriously and is now reviewing the terms of the next contract to increase accountability regarding crowing roosters and feral chickens which are caught.”
Because of concerns raised about cockfighting, the new rooster control contract will have some kind of provision saying that captured fowl cannot be used for cockfighting, Kamimura said.
Question: Who do we call to report a neighbor in Manoa who puts bulky item rubbish out three weeks before the pickup date? This isn’t the first time.
Answer: For now, you should call police.
That’s because the city Department of Environmental Services can’t begin enforcing a new law, which took effect in January, to impose fines on people who put their bulky items out too early, until administrative rules setting up the fines and appeals process are adopted (see www.staradvertiser.com/news/20110722_new_law_to_fine_bulky-item_violators_ awaits_rules.html).
“The administrative rules are still under review, but the review will be completed soon, then a public hearing will follow shortly,” said Louise Kim McCoy, the mayor’s press secretary.
Auwe
To a rude, inconsiderate shopper. Earlier this month, I was at Costco Iwilei. Near where the toilet paper is stacked, a man who was probably someone’s grandpa blocked the entire aisle with his cart. Hard to believe, since Costco aisles are so wide. I was directly behind him and had to stop abruptly. I said politely, “Excuse me,” so I could pass safely. He yelled, “One second!” as his wife loaded the toilet paper in his cart. Everyone had to come to a standstill. I teach my kids to be polite and courteous and to take special care of our kupuna. But, sir, when grandpas like you choose to be selfish and show others that you simply won’t take “a second” to place your cart to the side, what are you showing our keiki? I hope you think about the safety of others before you decide to block a store aisle with your cart. — Concerned Kamaaina
———
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.
