End of the road for junkers

By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer

Getting rid of unsightly junk cars on Hawai'i roads will be easier thanks to a new law, elected officials and environmental activists said.

Alika Aipolani, left, and Mike Medeiros of Abe's Auto Recycling loaded abandoned cars onto a company flatbed truck yesterday from the side of the road at Waipio Point Access Road, behind Waipahu High School.. Photos By Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

"There will be one less reason not to get them off the road quickly," said Rep. Kymberly Pine, R-43rd ('Ewa Beach, West Loch).

Under the new law, signed this week by Gov. Linda Lingle, officials now have the authority to tow vehicles on private property adjacent to public roads, on public housing property or on privately developed roads that have not been turned over to the counties.

Last year in Honolulu there were more than 33,424 complaints about abandoned and derelict vehicles but only 7,930 were towed, in part because of restrictions that limit activity on private property.

"It's great to hear that will be changing," said Jan Dapitan, head of the Community Work Day Program on Maui, where the problem is compounded by a lack of approved storage space for towed vehicles.

"Sometimes, you'll find a car abandoned with two wheels on cane haul road easement and two wheels on private land, and everybody would be afraid to move it," Dapitan said. "Now, they'll be able to go get it."

Residents have complained for years that county officials are slow to respond to complaints about abandoned and derelict vehicles, Pine said. Honolulu officials say they have to be sure a vehicle is truly abandoned or not on private property before they can take action.

An abandoned and stripped van clutters the roadside near the Hau Bush area of 'Ewa Beach (driving toward Oneula Beach Park). Changes in the state's abandoned and derelict vehicle law will enable officials to remove the eyesores in a more timely manner.

The developer doesn't want to tow the vehicle because of the cost and the city doesn't have the authority to move it, he said.

"So you've got this piece of burned-out junk sitting outside $600,000 homes but nobody is willing to do anything about it," said the man, who lives in a new subdivision where the roads privately built by a developer have not yet been turned over to the county.

The new law will allow private-road owners to arrange with the county to have the cars removed, Pine said.

In Honolulu, officials said they did not know how the bill will affect the number of cars towed and time spent in responding to complaints.

Under a city ordinance, cars are considered abandoned if left unattended on public roadways for more than 24 hours. Inspectors put a notice on an apparently abandoned vehicle and return a day later to see if it has been moved. If not, inspectors issue a $150 citation, leave it on the windshield and call a city contractor to have the vehicle towed away.

Derelict vehicles, those that are obviously inoperable and have no vehicle identification number or license plate, can be towed immediately, city officials said.

Eventually the towed vehicles are sold at city auction or for scrap.

"In addition to being an eyesore, the growing problem of abandoned vehicles around our state presents environmental, safety and health hazards," Lingle said. "This new law, which received support by the mayors, counties, environmental organizations and concerned citizens, will help in our ongoing fight against illegal dumping."

Reach Mike Leidemann at 525-5460 or mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com