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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PCPWMT 004 2025-06-03 2024-2026REPORT OF THE POLICY COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND MASS TRANSIT DATE: June 3, 2025 Re: Comm. No, 3031Bill No. 59 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawaii TIME: 10:44 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Policy Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit, to which was referred Bill No. 59, reports as follows. Bill No. 59, introduced by Committee Member Holeka Goro Inaba, via Communication No. 303, dated May 14, 2025, amends Chapter 24, Article 9, of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), relating to pedestrians. The bill prohibits receiving, soliciting, delivering, or offering goods or services while in a street; provides penalties. Hawaii Police Department Major Jeremie Evangelista and Deputy Corporation Counsel Dakota "Cody" Frenz were available in the Hilo Chambers to respond to questions. Mr. Inaba introduced the bill to improve street safety by expanding the Code restrictions on soliciting, delivering, or exchanging goods or services near roadways. Mr. Evangelista stated that the bill helps deter illegal business activity on roadways and provides enforceable measures for the Police Department. Ms. Frenz clarified that the bill does not prohibit the activity outright but rather aims to protect pedestrians and reduce potential roadway safety risks. Committee Member Heather Kimball requested clarification on terms such as "roadway," "street," and "legally parked vehicles," and asked about the bill's impact on donation recipients. She supported the community service element. Mr. Inaba and Ms. Frenz confirmed these terms align with Chapter 24, and Corporation Counsel can review the community service hour valuation. Committee Member Dennis Onishi asked about the impact on juvenile roadside groups. Mr. Evangelista explained enforcement is complaint -driven or self -initiated, with on -site citations, and noted an adult must be present when minors are involved. Committee Member Jennifer Kagiwada raised concerns about citation fairness, referencing food distribution and protest activity. Mr. Evangelista said officers have discretion, and Ms. Frenz noted the Police Chief can also direct enforcement. PCPWMT Report No. 4 PCPWMT-4 Page 2 June 3, 2025 Ms. Kimball recommended an amendment to clarify distance from the roadway and better define parked vehicles. Mr. Onishi suggested delaying the ordinance's activation. Mr. Inaba agreed to update the community service formula, retain the current definition of legally parked, and consider postponing the effective date. Both Committee Member Rebecca Villegas and Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder supported the bill, citing the importance of ensuring safety on roadways. Your Policy Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 59, and recommends its passage on first reading. ki AYES NOES ABS EX GALIMBA X HUSTACE X INABA X KAGIWADA X KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X KIERKIEWICZ X KIMBALL X ONISHI X VILLEGAS X Respectfully submitted, POLICY COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND MASS NSIT �. HUSTACE, CHAIR AIR REPORT NO.: 4 ADOPTED: JUN I Q 5