Permits needed to reserve parking stalls at beach

Question: Parking at Kailua Beach Park is limited on weekends. Sometimes people put orange cones in a row of spaces with a handwritten sign stating parking is not permitted there. A member of a club advised me they had a permit. If there is a permit, shouldn’t it be visible? Can any group arbitrarily reserve parking for its own purposes? When I see official signs along a parade route, they are obviously permitted. Shouldn’t permitted signs have the official city and county designation?

Answer: A park permit does not need to be publicly posted, according to the city Department of Parks and Recreation.

However, the permit holder should have the permit on-site to confirm authorization, said Parks Director Toni Robinson.

“For special events, permission has been allowed to reserve parking stalls,” she said. “The approval for reserved parking would either be listed as a condition of the permit or be an attachment to the permit.”

Applicants seeking to reserve parking stalls must justify their need for them, Robinson said.

If approved, the group is required to install a blinking barricade at the end of each reserved stall at least 24 hours before the event date. A sign is to be posted on each blinking barricade stating the name of the activity, and the date and time the stall is reserved.

The city seal is displayed on the permit. However, signs on the barricades would be provided by the permit holder and would not include the seal, she said.

Anyone suspecting a permit may not be valid should call the police department.

“Canoe clubs will be reminded that they are not to place their own cones to block parking fronting the canoe halau, vehicles must be parked in a marked stall, and appropriate barricades and signage must be used to reserve stalls for special events,” Robinson said.

Question: I believe employees who drive company-owned vehicles should be insured by the company. What are the regulations or laws on this? The company I work for has about 20 employees, five working as “drivers.” Last year two of the employees driving a company vehicle got into minor traffic accidents while on the job, and they were not insured by the company’s auto insurance. I am scared if the company keeps ignoring this issue and someone gets into an serious accident. Please help me!

Answer: You should contact the state Insurance Division’s Compliance and Enforcement Branch, which is part of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Call 586-2790.

We’re told there’s not enough information in your case to give a definitive answer.

The registered owner of a motor vehicle is required by law to have motor vehicle insurance, explained Gordon Ito, the state’s insurance commissioner.

“At the very least, the owner of a motor vehicle should have insurance that meets the state’s mandatory coverages,” which are for property damage, bodily injury and personal injury protection, he said.

If an employee is injured while on the job, the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance would be the primary coverage, in addition to personal injury protection, Ito said.

Mahalo

To Dr. Zamir Moen, at Kaiser Moanalua, for being there for my 85-year-old mother when she collapsed at the baggage claim area at the airport. First responders from the city ambulance crew were so gentle and caring and explained everything they were doing to help Popo. She is home now and is enjoying life like she always has. Blessings and peace to all who helped her that night. We really appreciate what you did. — Paying It Forward

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