Question: According to the Hawaiian Humane Society, Kailua Beach is a “dog-friendly beach.” However, I was approached recently by a Honolulu police officer who said I was violating the law because I had my dog with me as I was walking through the park to get to the beach. I told him the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, the city Department of Parks and Recreation and the Humane Society all said that as long as my dog was on a leash and I went straight from my car to the beach, there was no problem walking through the park area. But the officer said if I did not leave the beach park immediately, I would be cited. I also called the Kailua Police Station and was told the same thing. I asked whether the hundreds of people walking their dogs on Kailua Beach every day were breaking the law, and they said yes, they all could be cited. Can something be done to stop this harassment by the Honolulu Police Department?
Answer: You will not be cited as long as your dog is on a leash.
The Department of Parks and Recreation has reaffirmed its policy allowing leashed dogs to traverse Kailua Beach Park to get to the beach.
“Nothing has changed” since Kokua Line last explained the policy, said Jay Parasco, spokesman for the city administration.
“This has been clarified with the (Kailua police) officers, and we apologize for the confusion and inconvenience,” Parasco said.
HPD spokeswoman Michelle Yu confirmed that Kailua officers have been informed about the leashed-dogs-allowed policy.
As we explained previously, you’re not allowed to enter and remain at a “no dog” park, with certain exceptions: at dog shows with permits, obedience classes with permits, service dogs and police dogs.
But while it is illegal for dogs in general to play or remain in a dog-prohibited park, such as Kailua Beach Park, it is permissible for dogs on leashes to walk through the park.
Meanwhile, the Hawaiian Humane Society has a listing of all the dog-friendly parks and parks where dogs on leashes are allowed: www.hawaiianhumane.org/Dog-Friendly-Parks.html.
It also lists dog-friendly beaches, specifying where they are allowed in all beach areas, in areas only below the high-tide line, in areas below a retaining wall, in areas below a sea wall, as well as where they are prohibited: www.hawaiianhumane.org/Dog-Friendly-Beaches.html.
Question: Can you tell me whether there is a website regarding the rules of Obamacare?
Answer: The Hawai‘i Health Connector is handling enrollment of Hawaii residents for the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, more familiarly known as Obamacare.
You can get information by going to hawaiihealthconnector.com, emailing info@hawaiihealthconnector.com or calling 260-9011.
The Hawai‘i Health Connector was set up by the state Legislature to be the online health insurance exchange for Hawaii residents in compliance with Obamacare, which requires individuals who do not have health insurance to purchase such insurance beginning Jan. 1.
Open enrollment begins Oct. 1.
MAHALO
To all the wonderful people who came to my husband’s aid after he fell at the Pearlridge Center office building. We couldn’t believe how many people immediately offered to help. He was bleeding profusely from a cut on his forehead, and a kind lady took out a container of baby wipes to stop the bleeding. Dr. Jeff Healy, whose office was nearby, came out and cleaned and dressed the cut for free. And Lynette Lo Tom stayed with us the entire time, even offering to drive us home. We were overwhelmed by the kindness of so many people. My husband is OK. — Grateful Senior Citizens
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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.
