The street-parking dilemma at Ewa Beach’s Ho‘okea subdivision might be worse than in other areas, but surely it’s not unique.

The packed neighborhood is seeking an exemption from Honolulu’s traffic code that prohibits parking within 4 feet of a driveway.

The problem is intensified because Ho‘okea, a city-sponsored affordable housing development built in the 1980s, was allowed to build houses closer together than normal — which means shorter distances between driveways, leading to non-adherence to the 4-foot driveway buffer law. Exacerbating the situation: multi-generations living under one roof, adding to the number of vehicles.

The pilot traffic exemption might make sense for Ho‘okea, but with many other neighborhoods experiencing similar overcrowding, this exemption to the traffic code could soon become the rule.

Don’t mess with the Oahu elepaio

Ever been sued by a bird? Believe it or not, some animals have the legal standing to be plaintiffs in court, and the newest one to the club is the Oahu elepaio.

The beautiful little bird, found only on Oahu, was designated a distinct species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service effective today, and now can be named a plaintiff in lawsuits aimed at ensuring enough is being done to prevent its extinction.

Back in 1978, the state was successfully sued over this issue by another Hawaii bird, the palila, so such a designation is not to be taken lightly.