LIHU‘E — Residents are responding with fervor to the incident last weekend involving a “modified” Nissan truck running over a Wailua beachgoer. The woman who was hit while sunbathing Sunday afternoon is 38-year-old Jacqueline Bigno of Puhi, who was released
LIHU‘E — Residents are responding with fervor to the incident last weekend involving a “modified” Nissan truck running over a Wailua beachgoer.
The woman who was hit while sunbathing Sunday afternoon is 38-year-old Jacqueline Bigno of Puhi, who was released on Wednesday from Queen’s Medical Center on O‘ahu after undergoing treatment for injuries, according to a hospital spokesperson.
The driver of the truck, Kawai Watanabe, was reportedly arrested at the scene, however, the arrest was unrelated to the incident. He was arrested for two bench warrants where he previously failed to appear in court.
The issue of what constitutes a “modified” or “re-constructed” vehicle and why they are often found on the beaches of Kaua‘i is a controversial issue, both for those who adamantly wish to continue the “cultural tradition” and those who strongly oppose the practice, urging government officials and the Kaua‘i Police Department to step up their enforcement.
“People are saying that it’s part of their culture, but Hawaiians walked everywhere. They didn’t drive monster trucks that scared people and little children,” said John Moon of Citizen’s for a Safe Kaua‘i, who has long been an advocate for decreasing the number of “illegal” vehicles on the roads and beaches. “The tires assault the land and people around them.”
Moon said this has been an ongoing “problem” on the island for an extended period of time.
“Everybody has pointed the finger and refuses to do anything. It’s been allowed to go on and people ignore it. Nobody wants to enforce it,” said Moon. “Can’t they recognize giant, monster trucks tearing up the grounds and scaring babies?”
Hawai‘i Revised Statutes 291-35.1 states that the maximum bumper height for a vehicle weighing between 7,501 and 10,000 pounds is 35 inches off the ground. The maximum bumper height for a vehicle weighing between 4,501 and 7,500 is 33 inches.
The exact measurements of Watanabe’s truck have not been disclosed yet by KPD.
“Government officials are reminding the public that operating motor vehicles on Hawai‘i’s beaches is not legal,” a county news release states.
Motor vehicles include cars, trucks, go-carts, motorcycles, motor scooters, dune buggies and all other types of motor vehicles, the release says.
The statement also said that the only capacity in which vehicles are permitted on county beaches — which include Hanalei, Kekaha and Kealia — is “to drop off or pick up people or supplies for picnicking, fishing, camping or swimming.” According to KPD, the penalty for anyone found in violation of the ordinance is a fine of up to $1,000.
Vehicles are not allowed under any circumstances on state beaches, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Hawai‘i Administrative Rules 13-221, which govern state unencumbered lands including beaches and coastal areas, states that anyone driving a “motor vehicle” in these areas could face fines of up to $500.
DLNR spokeswoman Deborah Ward said Sunday’s incident at a beach called “Kitchens” falls under county jurisdiction.
When asked if the state would be taking any steps to help prevent further accidents from occurring, DLNR officials said they “plan to continue addressing violations at state beaches and anyone who witnesses vehicles driving on a beach can call KPD or DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement to make a report.”
“We are asking for the public’s help in notifying us about vehicles driving on beaches,” county spokeswoman Mary Daubert said Thursday. “This is the major way we are increasing enforcement in that environment.”
Moon said he doesn’t believe this action is in the best interest for those making the call to report vehicles.
“If you report one, you would have to give testimony and nobody in their right mind is gong to be a stool pigeon and get beat up,” said Moon. “And, first of all, what if you get caught writing down the license plate number?”
Daubert said investigations are still underway and no arrests or citations have been made.
“We did open an investigation and all evidence is being taken into consideration,” she said.
While reckless behavior was reportedly not the case in this particular incident, Moon said he often witnesses individuals driving “monster trucks” on Kaua‘i’s roads and beaches, acting with aggression and causing an endangerment to the lives of others.
“There’s no aloha in all this aggressive behavior,” said Moon.
KPD asks for anyone who sees a motor vehicle operating on a beach to note the vehicle’s license plate number and call police dispatch at 241-1711 or Crime Stoppers at 241-1887.
• Coco Zickos, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or czickos@kauaipubco.com
