By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Advertiser Staff Writer

Q. What is the policy on taking plants and flowers from state property? We see bamboo chopped along hiking trails. Picking of ginger along Volcano Highway is almost a tradition. Are such practices legal?

A. Whether you want a flower for your hair or a bunch of ti leaves for the imu, anyone wishing to pick plants or flowers from state forest reserve or conservation land must get a permit from the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, which is attached to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

On O'ahu, go to the division's baseyard office at Makiki Park (973-9785) or the main office in Room 325 of the Kalanimoku State Office Building on Punchbowl Street. The division also has offices of the Neighbor Islands.

The land department actually prefers that you tell what you are looking for so it can direct you where to go.

"We prefer that people go to the places that we designate," said DLNR spokeswoman Deborah Ward. "It preserves the natural appearance of the trailside while giving people the opportunity to pick in areas that are less obtrusive but where ti leaves are available in sufficient numbers."

Forestry Supervisor Earl Pawn said the system allows the agency to better monitor what's happening in its inventory. Pawn estimated that he gets 10 to 20 requests per month for harvesting, mostly for bamboo or ti leaves.

There is no cost for the permit, but the agency has discussed the possibility of imposing a fee. You may not pick plants and flowers from state forest or agricultural lands for commercial use.

On other state property or federal property, the agency that owns or manages the land is responsible for administering the permit, Ward said.

Q. A number of motorists along the Zipper Lane violate the three-person minimum rule. Why doesn't the city or state tag them?

A. The Honolulu Police Department has been ticketing Zipper Lane violators as time and resources allow, and will continue to do so, according to Maj. Bryan Wauke of the HPD Traffic Division. "This is usually performed by the solo motorcycle officers who are also responsible for assisting stalled motorists and responding to traffic collisions during the peak traffic hours," he said.

From March 11 through April 29, the Traffic Division assigned up to three solo motorcycle officers on 14 different dates exclusively to enforce Zipper Lane violations. They issued 98 Zipper Lane and 61 high-occupancy vehicle lane citations during that time, Wauke said.

If you have questions involving bureaucratic red tape, submit them to:

The Bureaucracy Buster,
The Honolulu Advertiser,
605 Kapi'olani Blvd.
Honolulu, HI 96813.

e-mail: buster@honoluluadvertiser.com

Phone message: 535-2454

Be sure to give your name and daytime phone number.