The Honolulu City Council has unanimously approved Bill 7 (2013) which allows city workers to remove any items that they deem to be sidewalk nuisances. Under the bill, a sidewalk nuisances is defined as, “Any object or collection of objects constructed, erected, installed, maintained, kept or operated on or over any sidewalk, including but not limited to stalls, stands, tents, furniture, and containers, and of their contents or attachments.” Violators may retrieve any items seized once they pay a $200 fine.
Currently, the law states that the city is only allowed to remove objects left on sidewalks if it has been tagged 24 hours in advance. Bill 7 would expedite the removal process. Honolulu City attorneys must first conduct one more legal review of Bill 7 before it goes to Mayor Kirk Caldwell for his signature. Caldwell has previously announced his support for the bill.
The American Civil Liberties Union, Hawaii Chapter, argues that the bill is a clear attempt to remove the homeless. Members of the group (de)Occupy Honolulu added that it criminalizes homelessness and violates the Constitution. Both parties strongly oppose the bill.
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 4-18-2013, 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
