Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br /> F <br /> <br /> <br /> Et.._ 1,;r_ <br /> NO DEC I PM <br /> <br /> TESTIMONY in support of Bill No. 180~ <br /> Relating to Amending Chapter 14 of the Hawaii Co~441 Cede 1--` <br /> <br /> The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney for Hawaii County supports the intent of <br /> <br /> Bill No. 149 relating to consumption of intoxicating liquors at La'aloa Bay Beach Park. <br /> The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney respectfully requests that this bill be <br /> <br /> <br /> amended to prevent liquor consumption at all county parks, absent a permit to drink <br /> alcoholic heverages. <br /> <br /> In the last couple of yeas our office has received several complaints from <br /> <br /> comrl "l_mity members about people drinking alcohol in county parks and causing <br /> <br /> prohle;ns. These problems include: fights, harassment, disorderly conduct, vulgar and <br /> <br /> abu. iIv e language, excessive noise, obscene gestures, littering vandalism, and driving <br /> <br /> under 11110 influence of alcohol. <br /> <br /> J~~ring the same period of time, our office has received significantly fewer <br /> <br /> complaints about similar problems at our State parks. One of the reasons for this may be <br /> <br /> that the State has already made the requested changes and has made it against the law to <br /> <br /> use or possess alcohol in any state park without a permit. <br /> <br /> While all of the above problems are of a concern to the County, driving under the <br /> <br /> influence is :,f particular concern to our office. According to the State Department of <br /> <br /> Transportation, there were 125 fatal crashes and 138 total fatalities in 2007 on the <br /> <br /> roadv,~-ays in the State of Hawaii. Of the 138 crashes, 60 involved alcohol, accounting for <br /> <br /> 50 percent of the fatalities. Statewide, there were 8,740 traffic crashes. According to <br /> <br /> Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA), nationally motor vehicle crashes are the leading <br /> <br /> cause of death for those who are 4 through 34 years old. <br /> <br /> Carr re. "Zo. 3~ • <br /> Ref. To: QSP-. <br /> aef. Dote DEC 15 2009 <br />