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Is it true that HPP roads are all private and exempt from
traffic laws such as speeding, no muffler, etc.? We can't find any
community ordinances either on the community website.
Not that a motor bike rounding the block over and over at excessive speeds with what sounds like a missing muffler bothers me that much as I know it cant last forever and we have no children or pets on this end of the road. Could be endangering others elsewhere though.
Anyway when kids and pets aren't at risk I'm pretty laid back and all for aloha to each other but it's really bothering a family member, keeping from sleeping and hurting his head and ears - with windows shut and fan on for white noise even - so thought I'd ask in case the problem persists as it has been increasing.
Mahalos
Cindy
I don't know the answer to your question.
Just want to say that when I lived in Hilo we had drivers without mufflers cruising up and down the arteries near me at very high speeds every weekend night, often at 2-3 am. So loud you could hear them coming from a long ways away.
I called the Hilo police once about the problem, and the officer I spoke to said he had the same problem at his house (on one of the arteries). He acknowledged the problem, but had no plans to do anything about it. I said, you could give them tickets. He said, sounding surprised, I guess I could.
My thinking was that if they set up a speed trap and ticketed the guys, after three tickets you don't have a license and your insurance gets real expensive. Some of them might desist after getting a taste of expense and hassle. However, that is not the way the police think here. They just say "boys will be boys."
Point being that living on a public road with traffic laws didn't help us one bit.
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HPP roads are private in that they are not owned by the government. The government is not responsible for its maintenance. However, operations on the roads are still governed by any State or County VTLs. So the Traffic Code still applies. Violations of the Traffic Code are considered the same as on any government road and enforcement should be the same.
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in our subdivision of private roads,we spoke with the police about speeders and we had to post speed limit signs and now they will enforce the speed limit. of course the signs are quickly stolen almost as fast as they go up, but i guess some of the first tickets have been issued, its only been a few months since they went up.
There you go, one instance of better response in Puna than in Hilo. I lived with the speeding for two years and I doubt anyone was ticketed. (Obviously there were speed limit signs in Hilo, and they were not stolen, just ignored.)
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Thanks! And thanks Bob for putting an end to that myth. I can't count how many kids think it is legal to drive here under age because it's private.
Well I feel kinda lame complaining now after reading all your posts. Come to think of it we had the same issues on the mainland. As I told this family member, you find oud noise and annoyances wherever you live - unless your miles out in the boonies or in a super controlled cookie cutter community. All one can do is buffer. Houses like these here without insulation make it harder to do so. I just feel bad for family member because he can't handle ear plugs, and loud noise is torment to him.
In Ashland, Ore. it was the leaf blowers - sometimes everyday of the week as the gardeners moved through the neighborhoods. I'll take coquis nightly and a loud motor bike on weekends lol.
In Ashland the cops let the tourists slide - running red lights, etc. but busted the local kids skidding around on Friday nights. How fair is that?
In the rural area where we lived though there was quite a speeding problem but with only one deputy covering the area, this wasn't exactly a priority. In fact there was so little coverage the county sheriff led a town hall meeting to tell residents how they could and couldn't defend themselves and stay within the law. No they couldn't shoot outside and then drag the body indoors - that was a popular question lol One little granny in a powder blue suit jumped up and announced what she'd do with her shotgun. Lol Southern Oregon.
Then we were so worried about the kids in a Rogue River neighborhood (small town, good police coverage) that an older kid treated like a drag strip that we wrote a letter to the editor. Not even an artery street - up near the dead end. Neighbors said even a deaf child living in the neighborhood and a warning sign didn't slow this one down. I asked the police chief once regarding local drivers downtown why they didn't hand out more tickets (he was complaining about their budget). He said everyone would be mad at them.
So you know Hawaii's not that much different is it? Better in some ways. If we were staying I'd pay to have these dang walls insulated though.
Cindy
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As chairman of the HPP Neighborhood Watch, I have had frequent contact with the police regarding this issue. Bob Orts is correct that the traffic laws are fully applicable and enforceable in HPP. When we began paving some of the side roads, we even requested speed traps in the residential areas where people were going at dangerous speeds. The police complied, and tickets were issued. When we have issues with noisy, unlicensed, or illegal motorbikes and ATVs, we call them in and the police generally respond. We use the dispatch number (935-3511) for reporting these. Unfortunately, the police in Puna are understaffed, and they can't respond every single time. They do respond most of the time, and they urge us to report these "nuissance" violations because they can result in injury or worse.
I hope this helps, and please contact us at HPPWatch@aol.com if you want to know more about Neighborhood Watch.
Cheers,
Jerry
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Thanks so much Jerry. I didn't know Neighborhood Watch got involved with traffic issues and it's good to know the police were responsive. As you noted the speeding and problematic motorbikes, ATVs, etc. can end in tragedy. I understand about the under-staffing, but at least I can put a call in next time (using the dispatch number you give here and know if there's not something more pressing they won't ignore. Since there is excessive speeding involved, I will emphasize that rather than the noise, although it does sound illegal so I will mention it. I take back what I said. Hawaii is better for things like this than where we lived in S. Ore.
Cindy
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As always, try to get licence plate numbers (if any!), I'm sure it makes it much easier for the police.
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quote:
Originally posted by KathyH
... the officer I spoke to said he had the same problem at his house (on one of the arteries). He acknowledged the problem, but had no plans to do anything about it. I said, you could give them tickets. He said, sounding surprised, I guess I could.
That's funny! Sort of. Sounds like the police chief we had in Rogue River Ore. Yes, it does sound like from this forum that the police are more responsive to speeding out here in wild Puna than in Hilo.
Paul good point about the license plate - yes if they have lol I think that at the least the dept can send them a warning letter.
Off to bed. Mahalo again for your help,
Cindy
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