HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PWC 211 12/08/1987 1984-1988 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS
DATE : December 8 , 1987
PLACE : Councilroom
TIME: 1 : 30 p.m .
Chairman and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Public Works to which was referred Communication
1367 and its attached Bill No. 451 , reports as follows:
Bill 451 proposes to amend Chapter 24 , Article 1, Section 24-3 , and
Chapter 24 , Article 7 of the Hawaii County Code 1983 . It would add a
new paragraph defining "moped" to Section 24-3 and a new division
entitled Motorcycles , Motor Scooters and Mopeds to Chapter 24 ,
Article 7 . The purpose of the bill is to add a definition of moped
to the County Code and to require the use of safety glasses , goggles
or a face shield for any person operating a motorcycle, motor scooter
or moped .
Your Committee on Public Works has reviewed Bill 451 and understands
that it is intended to prevent accidents by protecting the eyes , and
consequently, the vision, of drivers of motorcycles, motor scooters
and mopeds . A committee member indicated that injuries caused by
debris getting in unprotected eyes of motorcyle, motor scooter and
moped riders are leading to an increased number of accidents ,
personal injuries and property damage in Kona. Additionally, many of
the injured people are uninsured and do not reimburse Kona Hospital
for treatment, thus increasing the health care costs at the hospital .
A Committee member questioned requiring protective devices for
motorcyclists in light of a mandatory helmet law having been struck
as unconstitutional . However , State law ( Section 286-81 , Hawaii
Revised Statutes ) requires safety glasses, goggles or a face shield
for the driver of a motorcycle or motor scooter that isn ' t equipped
with windscreens or windshields . The problem with the State law is
that it excludes mopeds , which in recent years have become
increasingly popular with tourists in Kona. Bill 451 would allow
enforcement of the eye protection law to include moped drivers .
Your Committee asked for input on the bill from motorcycle, motor
scooter and moped dealers and Kona Hospital . Accordingly, the bill
was sent out for review and comments .
Your Committee wants to move the bill out to the full Council to
bring it to the public ' s attention, then return it to the Committee
for further discussion .
PWC REPORT 211
rDOrTED : JAN 1 8 1988
c . h
PWC-211 Page 2 December 8 , 1987
Your Committee on Public Works recommends passage of Bill No . 451 on
first reading by the County Council .
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MER E K. LAI, CHA RWOMAN
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'USSELL S . KOKUBU , VICE CHAIRMAN FRANK DE LUZ III, MEMBER
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TAKASHI DOMINGO, MEMBER ROBERT N. HERKES, MEMBER
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