The problem was that it isn’t a “vehicle” that could be cited and removed as abandoned, and there is no procedure to deal with construction equipment left on a public street.
“It does not fall under the abandoned vehicles section,” explained Sheri Kajiwara, director of the city Department of Customer Services, which oversees that section. “It is not a registered or licensed vehicle as it is not licensed to drive on a public street.”
Also, the motor vehicles section does not maintain ownership records for construction equipment and public funds earmarked for vehicles could not be used for removal, she said.
Her department tried several ways to deal with the situation, including contacting police. Anything interfering with a public right of way or considered a road hazard could be cited and removed immediately.
However, “in this situation, HPD rightly did not deem the backhoe to be a road hazard,” Kajiwara said.
She said she asked her staff to find a solution.
They researched phone numbers and information found on the Case 580 Super E Backhoe. Notices were posted on the backhoe in hopes of contacting the owner.
“All avenues were dead-ends,” Kajiwara said. “If the owner was determined, there most likely would have been citations issued. At times like these, we could use the public’s help in identifying the owner.”
In the end, “to resolve a unique problem,” the department found “appropriate funding” and hired an outside vendor to remove the backhoe and take it to a storage lot on Sand Island, she said.
The cost for removal and hauling was $250, with storage costing $10 per 24 hours.
A special auction will be held 31 days after the date of removal. An announcement will be published in the newspaper five days before the auction.
If sold, the buyer would be responsible for paying the towing and storage expenses, Kajiwara said. That would be $250, plus $550 in storage costs ($10 times 30 days), plus 4.712 percent tax.
If unsold, the city would pay the associated expenses, plus $300 in disposal fees.
Question: A car has been parked along Kamehameha Highway between Home Depot and Sam’s Club since at least Monday, June 17. My friend reported it to the city on June 19 and I reported it to police the next day. Well, it’s still there now (June 24). Why is it taking so long to have this car towed away so it no longer interferes with traffic?
Answer: We contacted the police department on June 24, but were advised to first check with the city’s abandoned vehicles section.
Because of the situation, Sheri Kajiwara, director of the Department of Customer Services, went to the site that day and saw “many” parking tickets on the vehicle.
“According to HPD, they didn’t have the vehicle removed because they didn’t consider it a hazard since it was parked in the shoulder lane,” she said.
Bottom line, the car was towed away at 1:20 p.m. Tuesday as an abandoned vehicle, she said.
MAHALO
To the young man (I think his name is Josiah) who cleans Keolu Drive on Saturdays. What a nice way to brighten the community! — Elizabeth
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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.