Bill pushes peddlers out of Chinatown mall

By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer

Tomasa Ursulum has her husband drop her off at Kekaulike Mall now and then to sell some of the extra fruits and vegetables she grows in her garden.

Ursulum, 79, had bitter melon and eggplant for sale yesterday at dirt cheap prices, but under a bill moving through the City Council she would no longer be able to sell her goods on the mall.

Mall merchants complain that unlicensed peddlers take away their customers, and the City Council bill would outlaw such street sales on Kekaulike.

The "swap meet"-style business on one-block-long Kekaulike Mall in Chinatown began about a year ago and now takes place daily. Dozens of peddlers — seemingly anyone with a basket of produce and a stool to sit on — move in during the day to hawk their wares.

Merchants who rent booths in Kekaulike Market say that is not fair because they pay rent in the buildings, but customers first must pass rows of vendors selling the same produce and many never make it inside.

To fight back, the shops began setting up outside stands, pushing the peddlers toward the center of the mall and making it difficult for pedestrians, wheelchairs and emergency vehicles to pass.

Meanwhile, residents complain about the crowds and the noise, which can begin as early as 6 a.m. with unregulated vendors chopping coconuts.

But under a bill passed yesterday by the Honolulu City Council's Parks and Economic Development Committee, peddling on Kekaulike would be eliminated except for mall merchants — who would need a permit to place goods in front of their stores.

The bill and a companion bill, which would allow merchants throughout Chinatown to continue placing goods within 18 inches of their storefronts, were moved out of committee and will go back to the full council for a second reading and public hearing next month.

Rod Tam, who is chairman of the committee and introduced the bill, said the situation is also a health and safety problem.

"Any of the produce or goods they sell, it if does not meet health standards, the city can be held liable," Tam said. "Other merchants who legally rent space in the building think it is very unfair. It is like getting free rent from the city."

State Department of Health spokeswoman Janice Okubo said a license is needed for processed and prepared foods, but not fresh fruits and vegetables. If food is cut, such as coconuts, a license is needed.

"They have to follow state standards because if they don't there is a potential to cause illness," Okubo said before the meeting. "If they have a license it is pretty much assured they are following the safe foods method of preparation."

The Harris administration opposes both bills, saying that requiring shop owners to obtain permits creates another level of bureaucracy. Ben Lee, city managing director, sent a proposed bill to the committee with a different version of the measure to expel peddlers and impose fines between $100 and $1,000 on violators.

The administration's version would not require permits for shop owners, and would still allow 18 inches of display in front of stores on city sidewalks and 48 inches of display space on Kekaulike Mall.

The Harris bill also includes a proposal to allow sidewalk cafés on Fort Street Mall, Union Mall, College Walk and Kekaulike by city permit.

Tam said he welcomed comments by the administration, but the bills will move forward as written.

More than 30 merchants and residents attended the committee hearing yesterday. Yuk Pang Law presented a petition with 326 signatures supporting the bills. Law said allowing the merchants to keep display areas in front of their stores is critical for Chinatown.

"It is a characteristic tradition in Chinatown to display daily special merchandise at the storefront in order to attract customers," Law said.

Kekaulike Mall resident Kris Larssen said she also wants to keep the flavor of Chinatown intact, but with noisy peddlers waking up residents early every morning, she supported the bills to end the practice and make the area more livable.

Larssen suggested that signs be placed to allow police to enforce rules and that cultural events be moved to nearby 'A'ala Park rather than the mall.