Question: I’m happy to see that they are looking for more support for the zoo (808ne.ws/zoostry). It is a great family place. We, like a lot of parents, benefited from it when our kids were young, and now they are grown and we forgot about it. It deserves support. Private sponsorships for exhibits, etc., seem reasonable. But I am worried about the place becoming plastered with promotional signs. Is there anything to prevent that?
Answer: Yes. The city ordinance that allows individuals, corporations and other organizations to sponsor Honolulu Zoo exhibits and facilities stipulates that any plaque or sign acknowledging the funding must conform with all applicable laws and regulations (i.e., no billboards) and must not be visible from outside the zoo, which is at 151 Kapahulu Ave., within Kapiolani Park.
Hawaii is known for laws restricting outdoor advertising and large signs of any type, intended to preserve the scenic views that are the tourism-dependent state’s bread-and-butter. Zoo sponsors will have to comply with these laws, which include Chapter 445, Part IV, of the Hawaii Revised Statutes (regarding outdoor advertising) and Chapter 21, Article 7, of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu (restricting types, sizes and locations of various signage), as well as with the law specifically authorizing the zoo sponsorship program.
That law (Honolulu Revised Ordinance 15-42) says that any sign acknowledging a sponsor must adhere to the zoo’s “aesthetic values and purposes,” not detract from the public’s experience and not impair the zoo’s “visual qualities.”
Only sponsors deemed in the city’s best interest are allowed, according to the law, which specifically prohibits sponsorships “involving the following”:
>> Persons or companies whose business is “substantially derived” from the sale or manufacture of tobacco, alcohol or firearms
>> Political campaign speech, or speech that supports or opposes or appears to support or oppose a ballot measure or initiative, or refers to any person in public office
>> Religious speech that advocates or opposes a religion or religious belief
>> Entities that practice or promote discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, including gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, ancestry, national origin or disability
The Request for Sponsorship instructions and application form on the city’s website (808ne.ws/zooaid) describe some of the exhibits, facilities and programs that sponsors may fund, such as a new spider monkey exhibit, a new pueo and barn owl exhibit, animal feed for a year, animal- shaped benches and drinking fountains, and other priorities.
To be recognized, a sponsor may be named on a sponsorship wall, use the zoo/facility/animal in advertising or request some other acknowledgment; the form leaves a blank for that option.
Some types of recognition are forbidden, including naming rights for the funded facility, exhibit, program or animal(s); large banners; any form of advertising visible from outside the zoo; and the use of text or images not considered zoo- and family-friendly.
Auwe
This past week I had a visitor from the mainland. One thing he kept commenting about was the number of abandoned cars on the streets and highways of Oahu. Many of the cars have obviously been there for quite a while, as they were either rusted out, burned out and/or covered in graffiti. It was especially embarrassing while traveling from Kualoa Ranch through Kaaawa and Hauula toward the North Shore. These vehicles should be towed away. — R.K.
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.
