Private streets do not fall under protocol set by city

Question: We live on Wilhelmina Rise. Last year signs were posted on property line walls stating "Private Parking" for the strip of land between the street and walls. It is our understanding that these areas are owned by the city. Yet, when I reported it to the city’s Code Enforcement Branch, the inspector said the city cannot enforce whether an owner displays such a sign and that any enforcement would involve examining the tax map key and/or an on-site survey. Do we have a "wild west" situation in which the city has no teeth and private owners can appropriate the strip of land in front of their home?

Answer: It obviously might surprise you to learn that Anuhea is a private street.

Because of that, the city and police don’t enforce sidewalk ordinances there, said Art Challacombe, Department of Planning and Permitting deputy director.

"Normally, vehicles parked in the sidewalk area fall under the jurisdiction of the Honolulu police," he said. "However, Anuhea Street is a private street, and sidewalk ordinances do not apply."

Challacombe said an inspector responding to a complaint on Anuhea in June found two small signs attached to a large rock wall saying the space was reserved for the adjacent property owner.

"The inspector determined that the two diminutive signs — less than 1 square foot each — were not used to advertise, attract or promote the interest of any person," he said.

Again, because this is on a private street, Challacombe said the parking and sign issues are a civil matter between/among the residents.

Question: Why is a safety check required for a new automobile? Is this a city or state law?

Answer: It is a requirement under Section 286-26(d) of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, which says, "Every vehicle shall be certified prior to the issuance of a temporary or permanent registration by the director of finance and prior to the transfer of any registration; provided that this requirement shall not apply to a subsequent transfer of registration in a vehicle that carries a current certificate of inspection."

There are two reasons, according to an official with the state Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Safety Office.

The first is to be sure the required equipment works properly.

Even though dealers inspect vehicles under the manufacturer’s procedures prior to sale, there are still defects identified during the periodic motor vehicle inspection program, the official said.

Second, the requirement allows the vehicle to be put into the inspection system data and be issued a safety inspection sticker, which is necessary for police enforcement, he explained.

We continue to receive questions about why some vehicles have safety inspections good for two years.

Section 286-26(b) of the Hawaii Revised Statutes says all vehicles are required to have an annual safety check, except that a vehicle "shall not require inspection within two years of the date on which the vehicle was first sold." That means new vehicles.

Mahalo

To all those who made our two-week visit to the Islands memorable. To the manager of the Bank of Hawaii on North King Street for your guidance to Chinatown and for personally taking us to the noodle-making shop and showing us behind the scenes. To a member of the Henry Walker family, whom we met by the fountain: We enjoyed hearing about your family’s history. Thank you also for recommending The Pig & the Lady restaurant, which we visited twice. You both certainly embodied the famous aloha spirit. — Barbara and Toby Burgelin, Menlo Park, Calif.

Auwe

To the mother who encouraged her young daughter (both on bikes) to cross against the traffic light on Saturday, Jan. 3, at the entrance to Times Supermarket Kailua and followed her, smirking at me as I stopped my vehicle short. She thought it was a big joke; I was not amused. — TD

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.