By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

Q. What is the regulation concerning fat tires, mainly on trucks but also some cars? I was under the impression it was illegal for tires to extend beyond the wheel wells. You see quite a lot of vehicles with much of the tires protruding, some with more than half of the wheel exposed.

A. Honolulu police are guided by a city ordinance prohibiting tires that stick out beyond wheel wells unless the vehicles also have fenders, flaps, mud guards or splash aprons. That's specified in the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, 15-19.32.

Police Capt. Jose Gaytan, of the Traffic Division, said police do issue citations when they see violations of this ordinance. The fine is $57. He does know those vehicles are out there because he sometimes sees them, too. He suggests that people who spot violations frequently in a certain area call the nearest police station.

"Usually, there's no way that can be legal," he said.

Q. There is an abandoned car (white Mazda RX-7) in front of the 1717 Ala Wai condominium that has been there at least three months in a no-parking zone. It has no ticket on it now but I thought I have seen tickets on the windshield in the past. And it does have yellow letters on the windshield. I would think being in a no-parking zone would get it towed sooner.

A. Maj. Thomas Nitta, commander of the Police Department's District 6, said the vehicle was cited and marked as an abandoned vehicle. That means the city's Abandoned Vehicle Section was notified; the car was towed off May 20. Police can order towing of an illegally parked car. City Motor Vehicle and Licensing Division administrator Dennis Kamimura researched this case and found that the owner appeared to be intending to turn the car over to the city voluntarily for disposal.

Kamimura knows that these abandoned vehicles can prove frustrating to the community. His office, which serves all of O'ahu, is often inundated with requests. When one abandoned vehicle is towed away, people call in to report others that show up, sometimes in the same place. Nitta said those who call to report an abandoned vehicle can ask the staff what the likely response time will be.

People who want to get rid of a car can often give it to a charity and get a tax break, he said. Or they can go to a satellite city hall and fill out forms to surrender title and the city will tow away the car for free.

Do you ever get frustrated or confused trying to navigate the various layers of government? Are you looking for an answer to a simple question but can't figure out where to start? If you have a question or a problem and need help getting to the right person, you can reach The Bureaucracy Buster one of three ways:

• E-mail: buster@honoluluadvertiser.com

• Phone: 535-2454 and leave a message.

Be sure to give us your name and daytime telephone number.