HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0936.010 2004-2006
TESTIMONY in Support of Bill No. 300
Relating to Amendine Chapter 14 of the Hawaii County Code
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney for Hawaii County supports Bill No. 300
amending Chapter 14 of the Hawaii County Code which relates to Intoxicating Liquor in
County Parks. The intent of this bill is to prevent liquor consumption in the parks of the
County of Hawaii, absent a permit and to modify the places in which a permit may be
obtained to drink alcoholic beverages.
In the last couple of years our office has received several complaints from
community members about people drinking alcohol in County parks and causing
problems. These problems include: fights, harassment, disorderly conduct, vulgar and
abusive language, excessive noise, obscene gestures, littering, vandalism, and driving
under the influence of alcohol.
During the same period of time, our office has received few if any complaints
about similar problems at our State parks. One of the reasons for this may be that the
State has already made the requested changes and has made it against the law to use or
possess alcohol in any state park without a permit.
While all of the above problems are of concern to the County, driving under the
influence is of particular concern to our office. Every year in the United States over
43,000 people die in traffic crashes. According to the State Department of
Transportation, in the last 5 years (excluding 2006 data), 172 people have died in traffic
crashes in the County of Hawaii. 90 of those people, more than 50%, who died in traffic
crashes died in alcohol related crashes. According to National Highway Traffic Safety
Comm. No. • /o
Ref. To: Pre µ
Ref. pate UG 2006
Administration (NHSTA), nationally, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of
death for those who are 4 through 34 years old.
Most people who drink at County parks end up driving afterwards. Unlike a
license liquor establishment, there is nobody to prevent an intoxicated person from being
served another beer. When these people get into their vehicles, they endanger not only
themselves, but everyone else on the roads at that time. Many still remember one of the
worst motor vehicle crashes on this island which took the life of 4 teens who left
Kolekole beach park in 1996.
Alcohol-related problems severely impact the quality of life for many legitimate
park users and have caused many to feel unsafe while at our County parks. Our parks
should be for recreation and not imbibing. For this reason, we ask that you support this
bill.
Thank you for the opportunity to give testimony in support of this bill.
Respectfully submitted,
JAY T
Prosecuting Attorney