BUREAUCRACY BUSTER
Limos shouldn't be parking on curb
By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
Q. Almost daily, I observe professional photographers taking wedding pictures at a public park on Diamond Head Road near Kapi'olani Park, while the limos are parked on the curb. Is it appropriate for commercial businesses to use the park for profit? Do the photographers need a permit or pay a fee to the city?
A. The city Department of Parks and Recreation issues permits on a daily, monthly or annual basis for commercial photographers to work at open and accessible city parks, according to city spokeswoman Carol Costa.
The photographer must pay a fee and file a certificate of liability insurance.
However, the city does not issue permits for limousines to park on the curb, and police should be called if this violation is observed, Costa said.
Q. My question is why the College Walk covered area close to Vineyard Boulevard is being ignored by the City & County of Honolulu and the police. People are practically camping out there during the day, sleeping in sleeping bags and tarps, making a big mess, and now the smell of urine is overpowering.
I've complained before but am told this is a public area for use by the public. That's fine, except this is not what the area was designed for. These people are criminals — they even stole a bike from our building, which unfortunately sits right next to this place. Our seniors are very afraid.
A. Police and city Department of Community Services staff swept through the area two or three weeks ago to remove the homeless who had set up camps, said city spokeswoman Carol Costa. They continue to do this on a regular basis.
However, the area is open for use by the public until 10 p.m., so police cannot remove campers until after that time, she said.
Costa said the city has formed a Homeless Task Force and meets with service providers to deal with the issue. The homeless providers are also informed before police sweeps so they can offer services to those people who are affected.
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