HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-01-31 Letter to Representative Henry J.C. Aquino HB 612 Relating to Abandoned Vehicles
County of Hawai‘i
Office of the Mayor
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County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
January 31, 2019
Representative Henry J.C. Aquino, Chair
Committee on Transportation
Hawaiʻi State Capitol
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chair Aquino and Committee Members:
Re: HB 612 Relating to Abandoned Vehicles
Hearing Date: 02/01/2019 – 10:00 am; House Conference Room 423
Our constituents are the same as yours, so we are well aware of their frustrations, and
we regret that legislation passed last session has not improved the towing schedule of
abandoned vehicles. However, there are reasons why.
An abandoned vehicle has to be unmoved for 24 hours before being cited by the police.
The day that the police deem the vehicle “abandoned” is after they cite the vehicle, not the day
the vehicle is left on the side of the road. Hence, the change requiring removal within ten days
of abandonment cannot mean ten days after it was left on the road. We generally tow within 72
hours of getting notification from the police that a vehicle is officially abandoned.
Fining the County would not improve anything; our constituents provide all the incentive
we need to act as quickly as legally allowed.
HB 612 should not be approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Harry Kim
Mayor, County of Hawaiʻi