HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0687.002 1996-1998 Donna Fay K. Kiyoaaki
Chief Er~ineer
Stephen K. Yamashiro
Jiro A. Sumach
Mayor Deputy Chief Engineer
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DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
25 Aupmi 8treeq Room 202 ~ Hilo, Hawaii 96720$51,
(808) 961.8321 ~ Fex (808) 969.7138 CA
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Date September 22, 1997
To DOMINIC YAGONG, Council Person
From DONNA FAY K KIYOSAKI, Chief Engi~r
SUBJECT : VENDING/PEDDLING WITHIN COUNTY ROAD RIGHTS-OF-WAY
This Department does not support any form of roadside vending. Roadside vending creates an
unnecessary obstruction/hazazd that detracts from the street system's intent to provide a safe and efficient
means of land transportation. Specifically, vending activities can cause some or all of the following:
1. Reduce the amount of clear roadside area for emergency stopping and maneuvering and other
motoring uses such as inadvertent runoff, turning around, stopping to rest, reading a map, etc.
2. For narrow roads, it can reduce sight-distance.
3. Impede pedestrian and bicycle use.
4. Create a distraction for both motorists and pedestrians.
5. Create a sense of narrowness and cautiousness that places unnecessary stress on motorists.
6. Increases liability for the county as it is not an activity supported by national street and highway
guidelines.
In addition to the above technicaUengineering reasons, we believe roadside vending should be prohibited
along all County streets based on the following considerations:
1. There are very few peddlers as defined by section 22-29 of the Hawaii County Code. The code
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8:\WP FilesVMEMOS\COUNCIL.WPD(41) FEB ~ ~ 1998
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Dominic Yagong
September 22, 1997
Page 2 of 2
defines a peddler as "any person trave[inr by foot, or any other type of conveyance, or by wagon,
automobile, or motor truck, from dace to place, from house to house. or from street to street,
conveying, or transporting goods, wazes, food, merchandise ....for sale or making sales
Based on this definition, a peddler would not set up a shop but would move from place to place
to seek customers. In the past there were many true peddlers who actually went from place to
place to sell their merchandise as markets and automobiles were limited. Today there are only
29 legally licensed peddlers in Hawaii County. Of these, probably only a few are actually
peddling merchandise from place to place.
2. In many instances, the resident population/merchantshaue not reacted favorably to roadside and
sidewalk vending. As a result, the list of prohibited County streets will continue to grow. It
probably makes more sense to ban all vending and to allow exceptions in conjunction with special
events such as the Hilo Mardi Gras, Ironman Triathlon, etc.
3. The State Department of Transportation does not allow vending/peddling on its streets.
4. Vending/peddling can still be permitted on private lands and certain public lands such as pazks.
If you have any questions, please contact the Galen Kuba, at x8327.
F.:AWP Files'VbIBMOSVCOONCIL.WPD(46)