Question: I was wondering whether there’s a city ordinance for the use of leaf blowers. We were driving by an apartment complex in Waipahu, and the maintenance worker was blowing his leaves from the sidewalk and onto the streets. There were several other cars ahead of us by the time we passed by, but we basically blew the leaves all over the road. I’m sure the worker never went back to collect the leaves and dispose of them properly. Is it unlawful to just blow the leaves onto the streets and let someone else worry about it?
Answer: Yes, that is against the law. We couldn’t find a city ordinance that applied specifically to leaf blowers spreading debris, but there is a state law against it.
Hawaii Revised Statute 342H-36.5 states in section (b) that “it shall be unlawful for any person to use or operate a leaf blower in such a way as to blow leaves, dirt, and other debris onto the public rights-of-way or onto private property not owned, leased, or controlled by the leaf blower operator or the employer or contractor of the leaf blower operator and to allow the debris to remain there in excess of thirty minutes.”
There also may be potential violations of the state’s litter law (see Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 339) and of the city’s environmental quality controls, as outlined in Revised Ordinances of Honolulu Sec. 14-12.23. Per that ROH section, the city’s Department of Facility Maintenance’s Storm Water Quality Branch may cite property or individuals for blowing leaves into the city’s streets and storm drains, as long as there is evidence to back up your claim of a violation.
You may call the city’s environmental concern line at 768-3300 to report potential violations. Be as specific as possible so that investigators are able to follow up.
The department explains on its website that leaves and lawn and yard clippings swept or blown into Oahu’s storm drain system can clog the system and cause flooding. Organic material that builds up in the curbside catch basins also can become a breeding ground for rodents and insects. The storm drain system flows into Oahu’s streams and out to the ocean; leaves that make it that far fuel new plant growth and lower ocean-oxygen levels, threatening fish and other marine life.
A Municipal Field Guide (808ne.ws/runoffguide) offers best practices for keeping numerous pollutants out of Oahu’s storm drain system. Regarding the use of leaf blowers, the guide says:
>> To gather debris in mounds away from storm drains.
>> To place debris in trash bags and seal immediately.
>> To locate trash in center area for collection.
>> Not to blow mounds of leaves from one place to another.
>> Not to use leaf blowers on bare ground.
Q: A mom-and-pop shop is letting customers park so they block the sidewalk. I complained, and they said pedestrians can still get around. Is this right?
A: No. Revised Ordinances of Honolulu Sec. 15-14.2 states, “No person shall stand or park a vehicle in such a manner that any portion of such vehicle obstructs a sidewalk or portion thereof.”
Auwe
Auwe to motorists who do not give a left-turn signal or who wait until they are ready to turn left, whether they are first in line or fifth in line to turn! I’ve seen drivers young and old fail to signal their left-turn intention. It is only courteous and it is the law to signal you are going to turn left. … Every day we can spread aloha by driving courteously and making our Honolulu a better place to live. — A reader
Mahalo
Mahalo to the kind gentleman who drove me to my condo to get my second set of keys. I locked my car with phone numbers, phone, keys, etc. inside. You were truly a blessing! Thank you. — Grateful senior
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