The Kaua’i County Council’s Parks Committee Monday passed a much-amended version of the ordinance banning overnight drinking at county parks. The ordinance was sent on to the entire council after a lengthy discussion. Final consideration is slated for the May
The Kaua’i County Council’s Parks Committee Monday passed a much-amended version of the ordinance banning overnight drinking at county parks.
The ordinance was sent on to the entire council after a lengthy discussion. Final consideration is slated for the May 31 meeting.
The ordinance, which originally would have banned all drinking in parks from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., was amended to allow registered, permit-bearing campers to drink after 11 p.m.
State parks on the island are already legally no-drinking zones, although any visitor to Nawiliwili (Kalapaki Beach) on a weekend night would likely dispute that fact. Citizens have complained repeatedly to the council that the park is abuzz with speeding cars and drinkers on weekends.
The amendment was introduced for Councilman Daryl Kaneshiro by Councilman Bill “Kaipo” Asing. Kaneshiro isn’t a Parks Committee member.
The issue was stated most succinctly by Councilman Randal Valenciano.
“I thought the issue was in general responsibility. We had people acting irresponsibly” in the parks, he said. “This is a compromise. With the permits (campers), you have somebody acting responsibly. They are the entity who is responsible” if anything goes wrong.
Councilman Bryan Baptiste, an overnight-ban supporter since the proposal was introduced in March, opposed the amendments.
“I still feel as adults we have a responsibility as role models to kids who are running around the campsites. I think it is very important that we make some sacrifices as adults,” Baptiste said.
“There have been numerous fund-raisers by politicians where liquor is served. That’s not too good, but it’s done. Drinking does not necessarily mean drunk,” Asing said.
By a 3 to 2 vote, the amended ordinance was passed by the committee.
A second amendment, also coming from Kaneshiro via Asing, gave the police power to take anyone out of the park, permitted campers or not, if they were under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. That amendment passed, too.
Kaua’i County Police officials originally sought the drinking ban because of teenage drinking and rave parties in parks.
Despite the amendments, council members assured the Police Department the ordinance was still a positive move for law enforcement.
“What we are giving the police is a hell of a lot,” Asing said.
“Maybe the Police Department is not getting everything they want,” Valenciano said, but the council is taking a broad leap of faith by giving officers “broad discretionary powers.”
Staff writer Dennis Wilken can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) and mailto:dwilken@pulitzer.net
