Question: What are the duties of sheriffs? I thought they only handled the courts and prisons. It seems to me they are doing what the police department is doing.
Answer: While the state Sheriff Division mainly keeps watch over the Judiciary and other state facilities, its deputies have statewide law enforcement jurisdiction and the same law enforcement powers as county police.
The division’s primary duties, as described on the Department of Public Safety’s website —
dps.hawaii.gov/about/divisions/law-enforcement-division — are “to preserve the peace by protecting all persons and property within premises under the control of the Judiciary and all state facilities; providing process services and execution of court documents; handling detained persons; and providing secure transportation for persons in custody. It also provides law enforcement services at the Honolulu International Airport.”
But if the sheriff’s deputies see a violation or crime being committed, they can and will take action.
For example, traffic enforcement is typically handled by county police. “But if a deputy sees someone speeding or doing something dangerous, they will pull over, ticket and arrest people if necessary,” said Shawn Tsuha, deputy director of law enforcement for the Department of Public Safety.
The department has about 380 deputies statewide, Tsuha said.
Tsuha also said deputies provide protective services for designated state officials and provide law enforcement support jointly with various federal, state and county organizations.
Question: Our building has 40 apartments affected by a ban on tandem parking by the city Department of Planning and Permitting. Out of 58 apartments, 18 have a single parking stall. But the original declaration of 1969 and subsequently in 1990, as well as our deeds, indicate 40 apartments have the right to tandem parking (vehicles parked end to end). Can anything be done?
Answer: Not at this point because your association of apartment owners allegedly has ignored warnings by the Department of Planning and Permitting to obtain a permit for tandem parking or get rid of it.
Responding to a complaint, DPP sent an inspector to your building on March 28, 2011, determining that the parking-stall layout was altered from single parking to tandem parking, said DPP Deputy Director Art Challacombe.
The parking layout did not follow approved plans in a zoning variance granted in 1992, he said. The building’s AOAO was advised to obtain a building permit for the reconfigured layout.
When no action was taken, a notice of violation was issued, and the AOAO given until June 28, 2011, to obtain the building permit, Challacombe said.
When the violation still was not corrected, the department issued a notice of order and a fine of $200. The AOAO was advised to correct the violation by Jan 13, 2012, or face daily fines of $50, Challacombe said.
When still no action was taken, the matter was referred to the city corporation counsel for “enforcement action” on April 16, 2012. As of June 13 the fines total $25,800.
Challacombe also explained that whatever action is taken by the AOAO regarding the building can be more restrictive but cannot override city ordinances. Therefore, if the AOAO approved tandem parking without city approval, it would be in violation, he said.
MAHALO
To everyone who came to my aid at the farmers market at the Blaisdell Concert Hall on May 22. It was hot and humid. I felt lightheaded, sat down, blacked out and fell over the bench backward. Thanks to Wes, Hans and Larry for coming to my aid and a lady who put an ice pack on the back of my head, assuring me I would be OK. My sister saw how disoriented I was, ran to help and called 911. Mahalo also to the medics who came to help me. — Appreciative Fainter
———
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.
