Waikiki leniency period pau as police cite skaters, cyclists

Question: I am a frequent jogger on the Ala Wai Canal sidewalk. There are many signs that ban bicyclists, skateboarders and rollerbladers. However, of late, I have noticed many are disregarding these signs, and there are many potential accidents. Why, with HPD’s heavy presence in Waikiki, are they not enforcing this ban along the canal?

Question: There are quite a lot of bicyclists and skateboarders zipping up and down the sidewalk next to the Ala Wai Canal (not using the bike lane) that make this very dangerous to the walkers. Some bikers have used their bike bells and have asked me to get out of their way. I’ve written letters to the Police Department but do not see any action. I’ve seen police cars drive by at the same time bicyclists are breaking the law, and the police do not stop and issue a citation. If they’re not going to enforce the law, why did the city and county make this law?

Answer: “Officers recently began citing bicyclists and skateboarders on Waikiki sidewalks, including the Ala Wai sidewalk,” said police spokeswoman Michelle Yu.

That’s after being more lenient and giving out warnings.

But it’s not only recently that police have been citing cyclists and skateboarders in Waikiki, which is designated a “special district” and has stricter laws.

According to the minutes of the Diamond Head/Kapahulu/Saint Louis Heights Neighborhood Board, police issued 21 citations or warnings for bicycles and 34 for skateboards on sidewalks in Waikiki in August.

Section 15-4.6 of the Revised Ordinances of Hono­lulu specifically prohibits riding “a bicycle, skateboard or roller skates upon any sidewalk in Waikiki,” which includes Ala Wai Canal sidewalks. In Waikiki, roller skating or skateboarding also is prohibited on any roadway.

The fine is $25.

Question: We have constantly been getting calls in the early mornings/late evenings from “New CO, 425-390-8126.” I answered one call and found they are telemarketers. Is there someone we can contact or get details about opting out of these kinds of calls?

Answer: We did a Google search of the number and found numerous complaints about similar calls from what is apparently a home security alarm company.

If you haven’t already, you should register your phones, including cellphones, on the Federal Trade Commission’s National Do Not Call Registry. You can do so at www.donotcall.gov or by calling, toll-free, 888-382-1222 from the phone you wish to register.

There is a link on the website for filing a complaint.

While being on the Do Not Call Registry will limit telemarketing calls, it will not eliminate them. Calls from or on behalf of political organizations, charities, telephone surveyors or companies with which you have an existing business relationship are allowed.

However, if you ask a company with which you have a business relationship to stop calling, it must comply. You are advised to keep a rec­ord of the request.

And, although charities are not covered by the registry, third-party telemarketers calling on behalf of a charity are. You can also ask those telemarketers not to call, and they are required to comply.

Mahalo

To Penny Leonard, a clerk in the state unemployment office. Getting unemployment benefits presented many challenges. Ms. Leonard took the time to call me with all of the regulations, what I was supposed to send in and how it was to be accomplished. She also made follow-up calls to see how I was doing and explained all the reasons why benefits were denied for the weeks that I was being treated for my knee problems. She took me through the process without (me) feeling shame. Ms. Leonard is a prime example of a person who goes way beyond the call of duty. The State of Hawaii is indeed lucky to have a person with her credentials. — Gayle Nakama

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