Citizens cite alcohol-related noise, litter By DENNIS WILKEN – TGI Staff Writer LIHU’E — Voices were raised in unison against drinking alcohol at Kaua’i’s parks Thursday afternoon at the Kaua’i County Council meeting. The council was taking the first public
Citizens cite alcohol-related noise, litter
By DENNIS WILKEN – TGI Staff Writer
LIHU’E — Voices were raised in unison against drinking alcohol at Kaua’i’s parks Thursday afternoon at the Kaua’i County Council meeting.
The council was taking the first public testimony on a proposal to prohibit drinking in county parks from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
County police chief George Freitas, a strong supporter of the ban, was in the audience and must have been cheered by the procession of citizens telling council members to pass the ordinance or even something tougher.
“I would go one step further and ban all drinking in the parks, as they do in Oahu,” Glenn Mickens said.
“I’m sure police will tell you about their problems in our parks,” he added.
Catherine Martin of Banyan Harbor, near Nawiliwili Park, said the noise and litter of the drinkers is embarrassing for Kaua’i.
“The next day in the park, there are piles of cans and bottles around the no-alcohol signs. People come for the peace and beauty of Kaua`i and see this,” Martin said. “It is unnecessary, unproductive and embarrassing.”
Five years, when she moved here, “we didn’t have this problem,” Martin said.
Cheryl Lovell Obatake, who grew up in the area of Nawiliwili, brought a visual presentation to augment her words. While speaking of the litter in the park and the danger of the broken beer bottles everywhere, Lovell Obatake tossed beer cans and bottles and cigarette butts on the council chamber’s clean rug.
“Does it look good? Is it pono?” Lovell Obatake asked. “We need to take responsibility.”
The council took no action after Thursday’s hearing, the first on the measure no-night drinking measure. Another will be slated.
The measure would also ban consumption of alcohol at the county-operated Wailua Golf Course.
Staff writer Dennis Wilken can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) and mailto:dwilken@pulitzer.net
