HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0067.003 2002-2004 BILL 32 -ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 24 OF THE VEHICLES AND N e
TRAFFIC FEE SCHEDULE. o
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I am the island coordinator for the Community Empowerment Organization, ~
known as the CEO project. The objective of this project has been to increase
communication between government and community in order to enhance public `
safety.
For the past 10 months I have been attending community meetings around the `i
island, listening to issues, helping to provide speakers and forums about how ~ '
communities can take actions at a local level and how to bring suggestions to
government agencies regarding public safety in a positive, creative way.
The CEO project has held two Resource Team Meetings which have been
attended by community members from all nine districts and many department
heads, such as the Mayor, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Civil Defense, and Parks and
Recreation. At the most recent one in December, communities from Puna and ,
South Kona brought the issue of abandoned cars to the table with some
suggestions .
#1 =Private citizens and Neighborhood Watch Mobile Patrol units report
abandoned cars to the police as soon as they are aware of them. Even though
the police notify the appropriate people, some cars remain on the road for many
months due to an apparent lack of manpower and/or financial incentive on the
part of the contracted towing company. Abandoned cars are a low priority for
them and are often many miles from their home base.
Just this last week on New Year's Eve an abandoned car which was partially in
the road was set on fire on Middle Keei Rd in Honaunau. The possible cost to the
county in lawsuits stemming from obstructed or debris strewn roadways is
unthinkable, not to mention the fire department manpower wasted on such
incidents.
#2 = We need to find ways to hold registered owners financially responsible for
abandonment .
#3 = We need to examine the codes on littering and post more signs stating the
penalties.
#4 = We will use the media to poll communities for ideas/solutions for this island
wide problem.
#5 = Research a state surtax on new cars for a car disposal fund as in some
mainland states.
#6 =Subcommittee to meet with Solid Waste Management to see how this issue
and the transfer station issues can benefit from a joint task force approach with
neighborhood help.
Comm. No.
File No.
Ref. To: ~'res°Med
Ref. Date ,~~N Q 7 2(1(13
Legislative consideration must also be given to abandoned vehicles on private
roads and to the accumulation of large numbers of cars and car parts on
leasehold lands around the island which contribute toxic materials to the soil.
If the increase in vehicle registration of $8.00 will not just maintain the status
quo, but also increase the number of tow trucks available, the timeliness of
removal and the assurance of regular off island recycling, many communities
would certainly support it according to the input I have received.
If the system of reporting and allocation of resources is either centralized or
done by district, there would be wide spread enthusiasm.
If not, it is time to think much bigger and more creatively. Small measures will
not be enough, the junk has reached epidemic levels.
C®r~'ir~~anity ~m~®vv~rm~r~t C~r~;'>~~tt=',
Making Hawaii a Nice Place to Live
CEO Coordinator
Hawaii County Prosecutors Office -Kona
P.O. Box 748
Kealakekua HI 96750
Phone:808-324-1021
Fax:808-324-6584 ~
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E-mail:konapros@interpac.net % r'~>