Those convicted of violations on state parks hiking trails may soon be fined up to $10,000. The change is part of a bill passed by the Legislature and recently signed into law by Governor Ben Cayetano, authorizing the state Board
Those convicted of violations on state parks hiking trails may soon be fined up to $10,000.
The change is part of a bill passed by the Legislature and recently signed into law by Governor Ben Cayetano, authorizing the state Board of Land and Natural Resources to establish administrative and criminal penalties for breaking trail rules.
Effective upon Cayetano’s signature last month, the bill allows for fines of up to $2,500 for a first offense, $5,000 for a second offense within five years, and $10,000 for a third offense within five years.
As petty misdemeanors, a first offense further carries a fine of up to $100, up to $200 for a second offense, and $500 for a third offense.
Meanwhile, in case young male drivers of Kaua’i feel Big Brother is watching, maybe he is. Effective Jan. 1, 2002, men 18 and older who are applying for driver’s licenses, permits or renewals must be in compliance with the Military Selective Service Act, which mandates young men register with federal Selective Service when they turn 18.
This was another bill recently signed into law by Cayetano.
Also signed into law was a bill mandating the State Health Planning and Development Agency and state attorney general notification, review and approval whenever any hospital in the state is to be sold.
State Rep. Bertha Kawakami of Kaua’i said she supported the legislation, with the intent of preventing the Hawai’i Health Systems Corp., which runs state hospitals including Mahelona in Kapa’a and Kaua’i Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waimea, from selling off hospitals without state approval.
A watered-down version of a bill which would have allowed the state Department of Transportation Airports Division to bypass certain county approvals and hearings processes for airports improvements passed the state Senate, and was also signed into law by Cayetano.
Unlike its House companion legislation, the Senate version simply allows the DOT Airports Division, with state land board approval, some flexibility in developing and leasing land as long as certain safeguards aren’t compromised.
Cayetano also signed into law a bill officially proclaiming each May 1 as Lei Day in Hawai’i.
Staff Writer Paul C. Curtis can be reached at mailto:pcurtis@pulitzer.net or 245-3681 (ext. 224).
