Question: I want to release balloons at my father’s funeral. Is that legal? Are there any state or city regulations regarding that?
Answer: We answered an almost identical question five years ago and the answer remains the same: Although some states do have laws restricting the mass release of balloons, there are no state or county laws restricting the release of balloons in Hawaii.
However, the balloon industry, and Hawaiian Electric Co., advise never releasing metallic (Mylar) balloons. Instead, look for biodegradable latex balloons.
During this graduation season, HECO again is reminding people not to release metallic balloons that can drift into electrical lines, potentially causing outages.
HECO explains that metallic balloons are made of metallized nylon that can conduct electricity and cause a short circuit when they get entangled in power lines.
Other safety tips from HECO: Make sure the balloon’s string or ribbon is securely tied to it; add a heavy weight to the end of the string or ribbon; deflate balloons after a celebration.
"We aren’t trying to discourage folks from celebrating with balloons," said HECO spokeswoman Lynne Unemori. "We just want to make sure people secure them properly so we can avoid outages and safety issues, ensuring the best possible celebrations."
If you do see a metallic balloon caught in a power line, HECO says don’t try to free it. Instead, on Oahu, call 855-304-1212.
The Balloon Council says the American balloon industry has set firm standards for mass balloon releases: releases must use only
100 percent latex balloons; all attachments must be biodegradable; all balloons must be self-tied; balloons cannot be attached to each other.
For more information on balloon safety, go to www.balloonhq.com/BalloonCouncil/facts.html.
Auwe
To a woman who accosted my son-in-law at Ala Moana Center, accusing him of illegally parking in a handicap stall. She would not believe him when he explained that the handicap placard did, indeed, belong to him. She berated him, until he told her to call police.
She found an Ala Moana security guard, who asked my son-in-law for his ID, which he provided and proved that the placard was his. Outwardly, my son-in-law does not appear to need a handicap placard. This does not give the woman the right to question and berate him. — Wishing for More Aloha
It is appropriate for people to contact security or law enforcement to verify the legitimacy of a parking placard, said Francine Wai, executive director of the state Disability and Communications Access Board.
"However, berating the person or asking the person to disclose any information to another person in the public is not appropriate," she said.
The incident points out two things: One, that a person legitimately may have a parking placard but does not appear obviously disabled and two, that some unqualified people are taking advantage of the parking privilege.
An officer with the Honolulu Police Department’s Disabled Parking Enforcement Program told us previously that just because a person does not appear to be disabled does not mean the placard is not valid, while Wai said, "I agree that (the above incident) reflects the frustration that people see with potential and real abuse."
She also explained that a placard is assigned to the person with a disability, but that person does not have to be the driver.
"The person with a disability can take the placard in any vehicle that he or she is riding in, but the placard is always assigned to the person with a disability," Wai said.
Mahalo
Belatedly, to a woman who turned in a silver bracelet lost at Marukai Dillingham. I was not able
to locate you with the few clues you left, so I hope you see this appreciation for your honesty and kindness. Bless you for somehow knowing the special value and meaning this bracelet holds. — Grateful Mother
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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.
