LIHUE — New rules and regulations regarding county bus stops went into effect Monday.
These new rules and regulations are a result of comments received from the public during a public hearing held on Friday, Jan. 12, according to a county press release.
“Accessible bus stops are a priority for our customers and the new rules are a result of concerns brought to us from the community,” said Transportation Executive Celia Mahikoa. “It is important that the County of Kauai maintains these stops for all users of the bus.”
According to the County of Kauai’s Transportation Agency’s Rules and Regulations on Procedures for the use and closure of county bus stops:
• All county bus stops shall be closed for use and not occupied by any person from the hours of midnight to 4 a.m.;
• No person shall possess or consume any drugs or alcohol, or be smoking (including electronic cigarettes) at county bus stops;
• No person shall erect any structure or fixture within a county bus stop or an area immediately adjacent thereto;
• And no person shall occupy a bus stop in a manner that inhibits its full and adequate use by the public.
Any person violating these rules shall, upon conviction, be fined in an amount not exceeding $100 or be imprisoned for a period up to 10 days or be both fined and imprisoned.
One woman, El Aina DaNine, has been living at a county bus stop in Kapaa for more than a year. She eats and sleeps there, chats with people, reads and keeps some of her things there People sometimes bring her food.
But some have complained she takes up the entire bench and riders can’t sit down to wait for the bus.
In November, TGI asked the county why DaNine was allowed to live at the bus stop.
The county sent this response: “County of Kauai officials have met with this individual on numerous occasions since March. Officials and police officers have offered her assistance in relocating and referred her to seek help from various resource agencies. However, she has politely declined all offers.
“We can understand the frustration from bus riders who frequent this stop, and the county is working on ways to prohibit loitering at bus stops when the bus is not in operation. Before we move forward, the county will work with the community, the County Council and fellow county agencies to create a fair solution for all users of the bus.”
DaNine, a Christian, previously said if she is forced to move, she will “inquire with the Holy Spirit, and maybe have prayer before the council meeting.”
As of Tuesday, DaNine remained at the bus stop with her belongings.
Sounds like first rules targeting the lady then just added a few more. Leave her be…..
……where is the aloha?
This poor woman is obviously mentally ill and needs help. Who is liable if she dies of some physical ailment caused by sitting for such long periods of time on a hard bench with her legs swelling like balloons for over a year? She needs to be forced to undergo treatment in a facility that can then return her to her home on the mainland where her family can provide. If no family? A ward of her home state.
Facilities for the elderly should seek to court her. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship. She needs medical care, food, shelter and friends. These are basic human needs. Her needs will be met and your needs will be met by the federal government paying her bill. (think about it, you get it) It will take a while to court her, invite her for lunch a few times, she’ll make friends. Introduce her to the kind doctors, nurses and staff. She will come live with you because that’s what we humans want, our basic needs provided for. Anyone who says leave her alone is cruel and doesn’t understand human dignity. Leaving her alone is not Aloha, it is the opposite.