The Honolulu City Council has proposed two bills, Bill 6 (2013) and Bill 7 (2013), which are designed to clear Oahu’s sidewalks of tents and other belongings. Bill 6 (2013) would ban tents from public sidewalks and malls without a permit and could lead to arrest and the seizure of tents and other items. Bill 7 (2013) would prohibit not just tents, but also other objects “deemed to be public nuisances, hazardous to the health, safety and welcome of residents of the city.” More importantly, Bill 7 would allow the city to remove items immediately, as compared to the current law which states that city officials must give 24 hour notice prior to removal. City Councilman Ikaika Anderson stated, “It’s not about going after the homeless. The City Council is bent on ensuring equal access to public spaces by all members of the public.”
The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii has stated that they will testify against both bills and would take the matter to court if necessary. Senior staff attorney for the ACLU Hawaii, Daniel Gluck, stated, “We intend to oppose it vigorously. If it is implemented, the ACLU will be forced to bring a lawsuit in federal court.” Gluck argued that the bill “would criminalize free speech and would allow the government to seize people’s personal property in ways that are clearly unlawful.”
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 2-15-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
