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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0936.015 2004-2006 C JUL 5 Pn ~ ~ rq July 3, 2006 Dear Council Chairman Stacy Higa, Aloha, my name is Travis Santiago. I am writing to you on behalf of myself as well as the many Big Island residents that I have spoken with, concerning the TOTAL BAN of alcoholic beverages at all public parks proposed by Mr. Jacobson. Mr. Jacobson is claiming that these social gatherings at these beach parks are like "wild drunken parties". I strongly disagree with this claim he is making. I get the impression that Mr. Jacobson is stereotyping anyone who drinks at these beach parks to be labeled as bad apples. He, as well as everyone else should understand that this is far from the truth. Being a resident in Hawaii for twenty nine years, I know that going to the beach is a way of life here in the islands. I have been to numerous family and social gatherings that have involved alcoholic beverages. I have seen others partake in other such gatherings. People, like myself, have gathered at these beaches for various occasions such as, birthday parties, graduation parties, weddings, or a weekend to just kick your feet up with a relaxing cookout with friends and family. I have never been to any of these gatherings where alcohol was consumed and felt that it was unsafe. Nor have I ever heard of any other beach goers who complained that they felt like they were in unsafe territory because people around them were drinking. I strongly believe that the number of responsible drinkers greatly outweigh the irresponsible ones. I think Mr. Jacobson should look into isolating the few bad apples he claims are having "wild drunken parties". Underage drinkers, for one, at these beaches are not an unfamiliar sight and they may very well be the irresponsible people that partake in having these "wild drunken parties". With new laws being enforced, the under-aged drinker would be easily discouraged from such unsightly gatherings and I'm sure it will decrease the already minimal bad apples that Mr. Jacobson is referring to. In closing, I would just like to ask that you take into consideration the "Way of Life"of the people who utilize our beaches in Hawaii. These beach goers having social gatherings with responsible drinkers are a way of life for them, just as tail-gaiters are at the Rainbow Warrior games on Oahu have been for them. Mahal , is 4anVago Comm. No. .I~ Ref. To: Ud__ Ref. Dote ~UG 2- _ Reader Feedback There are 37 comments on this story: Les wrote on June 23, 2006 9:19 AM: "is littering and public intoxication not a crime already? Increase the penalty on these two crimes and let the good people drink." Greg wrote on June 23, 2006 8:00 AM: "People are going to drink at the beach. If not at county parks, where there are trash cans and bathrooms,they will drink where there are no such facilities.' MH wrote on June 23, 2006 1:00 AM: "WEcan make money to putback into parks!?Sell beer at stands(checklD)m cups,don'tallow outside alcohol.Someone's there to judgement-call if someone drunk gotten out ofhand,call in backups if trouble.Amount made would morethan pay someones salary. Win-Win-Win. We drink beer,keep eye on overconsumption, parks make money.Howbout a10-50cent rebate if turn cup in to properlydisposeof? " AJ wrote on June 22, 2006 1:49 PM: 1. "I think the guys will still enjoy their beer after this law passes. Why? Because they will be sober enough to get ! away with it. If you are intoxicated, loudmouthed, bothering the neighbors, littering, or driving drunk, the police have a law to back them up. " Born & Raised Part 4 wrote on June 22, 2006 6:08 AM: "How about restricting the consumption of alcohol to a specific time period like LOAM to Midnight and no glass allowed at all regardless of the contents. The other laws on the books are available to handle the rest. E Maka'ala Kakou." Born & Raised Part 3 wrote on June 22, 2006 6:08 AM: "The bad eggs and the people opposed to drinking at beaches are in the minority, so why are we making a law to appease the minority. I agree that there should be some consistent method of control for law enforcement but a total ban is out of order." Born & Raised Part 2 wrote on June 22, 2006 6:07 AM: "So, why are we creating a law that restricts our freedom to gather peacefully with friends to have a good time? I thought glass was banned at the beaches in Hawai'i anyway ...so why is it being used as a point of order for this law." Born & Raised Part 1 wrote on June 22, 2006 6:07 AM: "I left the islands at 17 and have been serving in the military ever since to protect the freedoms we enjoy. When I go home on leave I don't hang at the beach and drink but I like the fact that I can when I want to. " derby125 wrote on June 22, 2006 5:05 AM: "This will require continual enforcement, there are many more important things to take care of. The ICE problems, spouse abuse problems, high murder rate problems.The people have been going "down the beach" forever to have a good time. Whets the next law 7 No dogs allowed at the beach? " sacredgardens.freeservers.com wrote on June 21, 2006 9:41 PM: "And the people have spoken. Pray for the Council to make the right decision." lets have a beer wrote on June 21, 2006 9:06 PM: "What has happened to the free country everything has been taken away not aloud to smoke and now they try to make it no drinking on beaches what else are they going to take away and why should they be able to, bring it -i to a vote " M Moore wrote on June 21, 2006 8:59 PM: "I feel the beaches are relaxing after a hard week of work and have a beer get rid of the ice off the beaches and . leave the people who wish to have a beer alone" mister-ugly wrote on June 21, 2006 6:03 PM: "this law restricts native hawaiian culture, by increasing search and seizure and restricting rights of individual freedoms. taverns and other liquor establishments nave the most to profit from this and politicians systematic wrote on June 21, 2006 2:59 PM: "in the military. only go home twice a year. first thing i do when home Is grab a sixer and head down the beach. it has been a part of the island life for years. hews those ice dealers doing?. what about the rising cocaine prol anyone here of that?" noname wrote on June 21, 2006 10:45 AM: "WHY DO OUR YOUNGER KIDS NEED TO BE EXPOSED TO DRINKING & DRUGS AT THE BEACH? SHOULDN'T THEY BE ENJOYING THE BEACH FREELY, ESPECIALLY DURING THE SUMMER? THEIR NOT! BOTTOM LINE "DRINKING, DRUGS, & DRIVING" JUST DON'T MIX! DRINK AT HOME ITS MUCH SAFER FOR YOU AND OTHER'S! hllobilly wrote on June 21, 2006 10:21 AM: "good Idea to ban drinking in parks. lets not forget that it takes just a few idiots, mostly "da yung uns" that are messing things up for the rest of us.drink responsibly and clean up after is so simple to do." ! Kawika wrote on June 21, 2006 9:04 AM: "Maybe before they start trying to ban drinking, they should focus on another (bigger) problem at 4-mile... ice. " Puna Girl wrote on June 21, 2006 7:20 AM: "Bad behavior should be handled by the Police. They are not doing their job as is. It is typical to pass a law and think it will make things better. They don't know how or where to enforce the law now. Stop making excuses for the department elected officials. " Non Drinker wrote on June 20, 2006 3:02 PM: "If you ban drinking at the beach, I think some won't listen. Why go through the trouble. My husband drinks, and I drive. Simple as that." I nick wrote on June 16, 2006 11:28 AM: "I'm currently in texas serving our country. The one thing I look forward to is trips to Hilo to enjoy a cold one down at the beach with old friends and talk about good times. We remember old timers doing it and now we want to enjoy. " A mother wrote on June 16, 2006 11:02 AM: "There are not enough places in Hilo considered nice and open for our 21-25 year-olds to hang out at! This law would add to that restriction. Let them enjoy the beach and each other during the day over beer, and ban it at night! " Finn wrote on June 16, 2006 10:24 AM: - "AS clearly stated in the article, the law was designed to make it "easier for police to cite offenders", which tells me they're just lookmq for another opportunity to make money off the citations. I've never seen or heard of any problems with drinking at beach parks..." Anna wrote on June 16, 2006 9:21 AM: "Excessive drinking at our beaches equates to wing while drunk when leaving..... right?" non drinker wrote on June 16, 2006 8:44 AM: "truth be known. They would rather not have "You" at the beach either. Can you imagine as you drive by and see "gangs" of locals? They must be scared to start with. Then add booze to the equation. Oh, no. They are running scared." Tony wrote on June 16, 2006 4:54 AM: "The Hawaii County Council is turning the Big Island into a "Police State." This should be voted on by the citizens. Such a law turn's citizens into criminals in space paid for by the Voters. I hope citizens will show Tuesday meeting to protest. Blame Ka'u" L-10 in LV wrote on June 15, 2006 11:03 PM: "Bad idea! Ban booze now, what next? Ban smoking in the outdoor public as well? This coming from a non smoker/non orinkei. Dont pass it, set regulabons such as time, but dont tell people what they cant do in a free country... or is it?" anonymous wrote on June 15, 2006 10:34 PM: "In case anybody didn't notice, there's an election coming up. Tough talk on enforcing laws is always a favorite election-time subject. But even if the council passes an outright ban, the "catch and release" mentality of the courts toward alcohol-related offenses will render any such law totally useless." anonymous wrote on June 15, 2006 8:53 PM: "I believe it is a great idea. Not many people recognize that drinking and Ice are the big causes of Incident and - especially in Puna side. We can relax in many others way, if you like the ocean go swimming or surfng,life is to precious" another girl born and raised on the hilo side wrote on June 15, 2006 8:41 PM: "Maybe there should be more done about the drinking done along the road ways but why at places where birthdays and different occasions are celebrated. There is just not enough pavillions to make it fair to everyone with a permit. Common there has to be another reasonable idea than that." Anonymous wrote on June 15, 2006 7:08 PM: "POWER & CONTROL ...I think that the people with a LOW LEVEL of COMMENSENSE... that make it their priority to go "DOWN DA BEACH" to drink, get drunk, & TO GET OUT OF CONTROL should be the ones that are REGULATED! THIS NEEDS 2 B THOUGHT THROUGH BETTER!" Tim wrote on June 15, 2006 6:07 PM: "So, no crack down on illegal drugs, which are common place, just another law to generate revenues for the Parks and Recreation people. I have never stepped on a broken bottle, but almost on a broken pipe. Get real..." kalani wrote on June 15, 2006 5:14 PM: "Do we ban alcohol, and make the parks safe for EVERYONE to enjoy? Or do we let alcohol be consumed and HOPE nothing bad happens? And if something bad happens,pray the culprits get caught in the act? If it wasn't for some bad apples..." _ Teri wrote on June 15, 2006 2:54 PM: "Why punish everyone? Why do all the people from other places want to move here and make up all kinds of rules? They still have the probiem in other places, but the people move here to the islands and want to change it all. I don't understand???" IGGY IGNACIO wrote on June 15, 2006 2:33 PM: "WHAT NEXT??.. MOST OF THE GUYS I KNOW OF DRINK PEACEFULLY AND PLAY MUSIC... NOW ITS THE BARS/PUPU/JUKEBOXES... NO MORE ROLLING WAVES AND FRESH AIR... I GO HOME HILO, EACH YEAR FOR THE PURPOSE OF RELAXING..." Fogg wrote on June 15, 2006 2:10 PM: - "Bob, what are you thinking? Why not try letting the cops arrest guilty drunks at parks the same as they do anywhere else? " John wrote on June 15, 2006 2:01 PM: "The land of the free" Debbie wrote on June 15, 2006 1:59 PM: "I think this is a wonderful idea. I lived in Hilo for 27 years and have had to deal with linking and such for the whole time I was there. Wonderful to enjoy the beach without drunken fightsI M'"