Question: Are electric vehicles with an EV license plate allowed to park at the Blaisdell Center during “blackout” days for daily parkers? I can understand the restriction when there is a complete blackout (no daily and no monthly parkers). The current company that manages the parking is not allowing EV access unless we are attending the event. Could you clarify?
Answer: The answer to your question is no.
“Parking at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center is primarily for scheduled events. When the lot is closed to daily and monthly parking, it applies to both gas-powered and electric vehicles. Only those people attending events when parking is restricted will be allowed inside the center, regardless of whether they are driving a gas-powered or electric vehicle,” said Guy Kaulukukui, director of the city’s Department of Enterprise Services, which oversees the Blaisdell.
He said the center “follows all guidelines set forth in Act 168 (12),” a state law related to the registration, licensing, parking and operation of electric vehicles.
Per this statute, an electric vehicle on which an EV license plate is affixed is exempt from certain parking fees at city and state venues, including parking meters, the airport and parking structures such as Blaisdell’s.
The law is silent on the question of access under the conditions imposed at Blaisdell for certain events, when only attendees are allowed to park there, regardless of the type of car they drive.
Q: I read that there is an ordinance that only two chickens are allowed on residential properties in Honolulu. To whom or which agency should we complain about a violation? This ordinance also mentions the noise by animals, such as crowing no more than 10 minutes continuously or 30 minutes intermittently.
A: The Hawaiian Humane Society investigates animal-nuisance complaints, including those involving chickens and roosters, as long as the animals are being raised by someone and their location is known. In other words, the nonprofit investigates complaints about owned chickens, not roaming, feral ones. The Humane Society does not trap or remove the chickens, but may cite and fine the owner if the owner is found to be in violation.
If you can provide the address of the offending owner (so that the Humane Society’s field services team can follow up), call 356-2250 between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily and ask to file a crowing complaint.
The crowing-nuisance definitions to which you referred are found in Sec. 7-2.2(a) of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, which you can read in full at 808ne.ws/rohchap7 Opens in a new tab.
Q: Is it true that more people are leaving Hawaii than moving here?
A: Yes, but that doesn’t mean Hawaii’s population is shrinking, according to calculations by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.
As of July 1, Hawaii’s resident population was 1,428,557, up from 1,425,157 the year before, because births per day (51) outpaced deaths per day (33). As for migration to and from Hawaii, seven more people a day moved out of the state than moved in, when both foreign and U.S. migration patterns were counted, according to DBEDT.
Mahalo
Heartfelt thanks to two gentlemen who came to my aid when my husband slipped down from his wheelchair at the parking lot of the Straub clinic in Hawaii Kai. They helped him back into the wheelchair and even wheeled him into the clinic. Then later, back at home, my neighbors helped my husband from the car to the bedroom. I couldn’t have handled this by myself. I’m most appreciative of all who who helped me — many, many thanks for your help and kindness. — A.T.
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.
