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<br /> <br /> f TESTIMONY in support of Bill No. 181 1 07 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Relating to Amending Chapter 14 of the Hawaii Coun <br /> <br /> The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney for Hawaii County support! q tent q4 <br /> <br /> Bill No. 149 relating to consumption of intoxicating liquors at Kahalu'u Beach Park. <br /> <br /> The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney respectfully requests that this bill be <br /> <br /> amended to prevent liquor consumption at all county parks, absent a permit to drink <br /> <br /> alcoholic beverages. <br /> <br /> In the last couple of yeas our office has received several complaints from <br /> <br /> community members about people drinking alcohol in County Parks and causing <br /> <br /> problems. These problems include: fights, harassment, disorderly conduct, vulgar and <br /> <br /> abusive language, excessive noise, obscene gestures, littering vandalism, and driving <br /> <br /> uncles- the influence of alcohol. <br /> <br /> During the same period of time, our office has received significantly fewer <br /> <br /> cornpiaints about similar problems at our State parks. One of the reasons for this may be <br /> <br /> that the State has already made the requested changes and has made it against the law to <br /> <br /> use or possess alcohol in any state park without a permit. <br /> While all of the above problems are of a concern to the County, driving under the <br /> <br /> infliiernce is of particular concern to our office. According to the State Department of <br /> <br /> Transportation, there were 125 fatal crashes and 138 total fatalities in 2007 on the <br /> <br /> roadways in the State of Hawaii. Of the 138 crashes, 60 involved alcohol, accounting for <br /> <br /> 50 percent of the fatalities. Statewide, there were 8,740 traffic crashes. According to <br /> <br /> Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA), nationally motor vehicle crashes are the leading <br /> <br /> cause of death for those who are 4 through 34 years old. <br /> <br /> <br /> oCozsnt <br /> Rcaf. To: 5 P CZ-L <br /> Ref. Ucrta flF(' 1 5 2(1(1Q.- <br />