Kokua Line: Stalling traffic not allowed unless car club has parade permit

Question: Is it legal for a member of a car club to block through traffic at an intersection so that the 20 or so cars in his procession can proceed unimpeded past a stop sign? This was not for an identified parade, and it did not appear to be part of a funeral procession (no hearse).

Answer: No, not without a parade permit, according to the city’s administrative rules, which state that “a permit is required for any parade or activity that does not comply with normal and usual traffic regulations or controls.” The only listed exceptions are for funeral processions and for parades conducted by U.S. or state armed forces or city police and fire departments.

You can read the details in Title 23, Chapter 1, posted on the city Department of Transportation Services’ website, at 808ne.ws/paraderules.

You described a long procession of private vehicles blocking traffic and running stop signs Sunday so that they could stay together. Had this event been permitted, traffic controls would have been in place, and it likely would have been listed on the city’s calendar of parades and street activities; it does not appear at 808ne.ws/mayparades.

Kokua Line receives Auwes from time to time about auto or motorcycle clubs impeding traffic as they traverse the island. In such situations, “drivers should call 911 so that an officer can be sent to check on the situation,” said Michelle Yu, a spokeswoman for the Honolulu Police Department. Doing so wouldn’t violate Hawaii’s law against using a hand-held mobile electronic device while driving because calling 911 is exempted.

Per Hawaii Revised Statutes 291C-63, right of way at an intersection may be indicated by stop signs or yield signs, which should be followed unless motorists are directed otherwise by a police officer or traffic-control signal. At intersections without traffic lights or signs, “the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right” when they approach the intersection around the same time, per HRS 291C-61(a).

Mahalo

I was driving down Moanalua Road on Monday near Pearl Ridge Elementary School when the driver of a dark-colored car kept honking. Then I heard him yell, “Hey, your wallet!” That is when I noticed my wallet on top of my car’s trunk. Thank you. Your kindness will come back to you. — Frank

Mahalo

The Leeward Jaguars Special Olympians would like to thank the Chief Petty Officers Association for again inviting us to participate in the Wahiawa Pineapple Run, this being the 44th annual and our fourth consecutive year participating. Our special athletes have the opportunity to enjoy the full experiences of being part of the running community, from the opening greetings, to the start of the run, to running 6.2 miles up challenging hills, crossing the finish line and receiving their pineapples and finisher medals. The run provides special, memorable accomplishments, such as Coach Meira and her daughter, Aulani, completing the run, with Aulani’s wheelchair hooked up to Meira’s handcycle by a tow bar, and 5-year-old Alex, after being pushed over 6 miles in her stroller by her grandfather, getting out of her stroller and using her walker to walk the last 100 yards, crossing the finish line under her own power. We again thank the CPOA for including us as part of the running community and giving us the opportunity to show the community what our special athletes are capable of doing. We also would like to thank the CPOA and their families for their service and sacrifices they make for our country and community. — Sincerely, Jim Ritchie, Leeward Jaguars’ coach

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.