Question: Can you find out why the Makapuu Trail parking lot gate was closed and locked two out of the three days over the Presidents Day holiday weekend? Only on Presidents Day, Monday, was the parking accessible. On Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 14 and 15, the locked gate forced hundreds of cars to park on the shoulder of Kalanianaole Highway, creating a traffic and pedestrian safety issue, as families had to cross the high-speed highway to get to the trail head. This was a weekend advertised by the Department of Land and Natural Resources that the gate and parking area would be open. Can you get DLNR to ensure this won’t happen again on subsequent weekend open-access days? It’s so simple to unlock a gate.
Answer: Big oops and an apology.
"The simple answer is that the park caretaker misread the closure date and mistakenly kept the gates closed on those two days," said Deborah Ward, spokeswoman for DLNR. "This was clarified and will not recur. Our sincere apologies to anyone that was inconvenienced over the weekend."
Question: I live in a quiet neighborhood on Waialae Ridge. One neighbor moved out and now rent their home. We have seen an assortment of tenants come and go. Recently the home has been rented to a family with two large, menacing-looking pit bulls. The yard is fenced, and for all we know, the dogs could be well trained and behaved. However, the neighborhood also has cats, small dogs and children, and there is a concern amongst the neighbors about the presence of two animals with the potential for harm. What if any laws are there to protect us and the neighborhood in case the dogs get loose?
Answer: Section 7-7 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu deals with dangerous dogs.
Go to www.honolulu.gov/rep/site/ocs/roh/ROHChapter7.pdf for details.
Basically, the law says a dog owner can be convicted of negligent failure to control a dangerous dog if he or she "negligently fails to take reasonable measures to prevent the dog from attacking, without provocation, a person or animal," and if the attack results in serious injury to or death of an animal or bodily injury to a person other than the owner.
A first offense would be a petty misdemeanor, and subsequent offenses are misdemeanors. Penalties include fines, jail time, restitution, possibly "humanely" killing the attacker dog or keeping it under control in specified ways.
The ordinance defines a "dangerous dog" as any dog that attacks a person or animal without provocation.
You voiced concern because the dogs are pit bulls, but the ordinance specifically states, "A dog’s breed shall not be considered in determining whether or not it is dangerous."
The Hawaiian Humane Society suggests you and/or your neighbors let the dog owners know of your concern and arrange to meet the dogs so that you can better assess whether your fears are warranted, said spokeswoman Jacque Vaughn.
"Reputation does not define a dog, and the greatest indicator of a dog’s behavior comes (by way of) its training and relationship with its owner," she said. "Ask questions, get to know your neighbors and judge the deed, not the breed."
Mahalo
To Lianne, a thoughtful angel from Hawaii Kai who paid for my produce at the Fort Street Mall open market back in January, saying, "Happy New Year!" Also to the Muraokas, a mother and daughter from Makiki, who graciously helped me at Koboji Shingon Mission. To all: a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.
— A Very Grateful Senior
Mahalo
To a caring family for coming to my mom’s rescue when she fell at Hawaiian Memorial Park on a rainy Saturday. Mom was not able to get up and I could not lift her. Kaipo, his wife, Janine, and their daughter were so kind to go out of their way to help us. Kaipo was able to lift Mom to her feet, while Janine brought an umbrella to shelter her from the rain. They comforted her while I brought the car around. May God bless them! — Grateful
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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.
