Library requires children 5 and under to be with adult

Question: On several occasions I observed an unaccompanied young female child using the computers at Hawaii State Library. I also have noticed a number of “antisocial” persons who frequent the library. I mentioned the situation to someone on the information desk, questioning the safety of the child at the computers. He said he would inform the library administration. Will you please find out more about this issue before an incident occurs?

Answer: The Hawaii State Public Library System does have a policy regarding unattended children, requiring children 5 and younger to be “accompanied by a parent, guardian, adult or responsible person at all times while in a public library.”

The staff at the main Hawaii State Library is aware of the child, who is older than 5.

Speaking generally because of privacy concerns, spokes­man Paul H. Mark said the library staff does watch for young children who appear to be unaccompanied and try to keep them in the Children’s Section.

The library system’s policy provides for staff to alert police or another public agency if a child is left unattended, he said. It also says, “The public library shall not be responsible for the care of any child left unattended in a public library. The parent or guardian shall be responsible at all times for a child on public library property.”

Mark said attempts are made to contact and speak with the parents, and if necessary, staff will call social services or other agencies to assist. “This has been the case with the youngster in question,” he said.

All 50 state public libraries have fliers and signs for parents and adult caregivers, providing tips on making visits safe and enjoyable.

Meanwhile, Mark said the Hawaii State Library and many other public libraries have private contract security guards on duty during service hours.

“A major portion of the security guard’s job involves observing patrons and ensuring compliance with our library rules, such as smoking, eating or drinking in the library, vandalizing or attempting to steal library materials, demonstrating disruptive behavior or disturbing other patrons’ enjoyment of the library,” he said.

He added that the staffs at all libraries are “dedicated to providing a safe environment for all our patrons, and they pay special attention to children.”

Question: I was walking along Piikoi Street recently and noticed a police sting operation. A plainclothes officer walked in a crosswalk on Piikoi near Kamaile Street, and if a car did not stop, he radioed a patrol car to pull the driver over. Piikoi is one-way. What is the law for stopping for a pedestrian in a crosswalk on a one-way street?

Answer: The Honolulu Police Department explained to us previously that motorists are required to stop if a pedestrian is on their half of the roadway — one-way or divided.

Specifically, Section 291C-72(a) of the Hawaii Revised Statutes says, “The driver of a vehicle shall stop and yield the right of way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger."

But in all cases the advice for both pedestrians and motorists is to be cautious and use common sense.

MAHALO

To the Honolulu Police and Fire departments, Air 1 helicopter crew and all the emergency rescue personnel and volunteers who assisted in the search and rescue of Sean Lesley along Mariners Ridge. We are extremely grateful he was found safe on July 9. We also extend our appreciation to the Mariners Ridge community for opening their homes to us, providing food and support. This was a frightening event for all of us, and your kindness truly exemplified the aloha spirit. Thank you to everyone for bringing our Sean home safely. — The Family of Sean Lesley

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