LIHU‘E — As an 18-month trial period allowing leashed dogs on a section of the multi-use path draws to a close, canine-lovers in favor of permitting their furry friends on the entirety of Ke Ala Hele Makalae are pushing for
LIHU‘E — As an 18-month trial period allowing leashed dogs on a section of the multi-use path draws to a close, canine-lovers in favor of permitting their furry friends on the entirety of Ke Ala Hele Makalae are pushing for county action.
The trial period that allows leashed dogs between Kapa‘a’s Lihi Park and the south end of Kealia will sunset June 1. It took effect Dec. 1, 2008, after a lengthy series of arguments featuring members of the public sporting “I have a dog and I vote” paraphernalia in and near Council Chambers.
The Kaua‘i County Council on Wednesday unanimously approved on first reading a proposed draft bill that would expand the rights of dogs and dog owners. Bill No. 2354 was referred to the Parks and Transportation Committee and a public hearing was set for April 14.
“It’s reasonable … and I’m hoping we can get that passed because it’s not an unusual type of thing to do,” Kaua‘i Humane Society Executive Director Dr. Becky Rhoades, a proponent of the existing and proposed legislation, said last week. “We would like to see Kaua‘i be like the rest of the world, where responsible dog walking is allowed on a multi-use path.”
Rhoades was cited in January for taking a dog outside of the designated area. (See related story titled “Humane Society’s Rhoades cited for dog on wrong path section.”)
Former Councilman Mel Rapozo, who opposed dogs on the path before a failed run for mayor in 2008, testified Wednesday in opposition to the bill, saying county workers should not be punished by having to clean up dog waste and that giving those workers more responsibilities while implementing two furlough days per month was not fair. Rapozo has filed papers for a run this fall to regain a seat on the council.
United Public Workers Kaua‘i Division Director Leilani Mindoro also testified in opposition to the bill, saying it was inappropriate, fiscally irresponsible and would “tax the workforce even more.”
County Parks and Recreation Director Lenny Rapozo said this week in a written statement that the county has been in discussions with UPW regarding dogs on the path for nearly a year.
“A UPW representative has been active on the Parks Dog Task Force since that time, and we have been working with UPW since April 2009 to address a grievance that was filed regarding the change in policy to allow dogs on the path,” Rapozo said. “The Section 1.05 UPW Consultation or Mutual Consent notice was sent to UPW by the County on January 14, 2010, after several months of communication with UPW regarding how these issues are handled in the City and County of Honolulu.
“In short, we have found UPW to be an integral part of this process for nearly a year now, and much discussion ensued prior to the Section 1.05 being sent,” Rapozo said.
Future council meetings could include the results of a survey conducted on the path that asked users to discuss their feelings regarding sharing the area with dogs.
Councilwoman Lani Kawahara, chair of the Parks and Transportation Committee and a proponent of the measure, referenced the completed survey, but backed down when her colleagues pushed her for the results, which have reportedly been compiled but have not yet been released to the public.
Attempts to obtain the results from the Department of Parks and Recreation were unsuccessful. Beth Tokioka, executive assistant to Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., said she did not believe the administration would be releasing any information prior to its presentation to the council next month.
While the council’s Wednesday vote, like the vast majority of first reading votes, may have technically been 7-0, a number of council members voiced their displeasure over the timing of the bill’s introduction with deafening silence. At least Chair Bill “Kaipo” Asing, Vice Chair Jay Furfaro and Councilman Daryl Kaneshiro declined to vote “aye,” but the record will reflect unanimity.
• Michael Levine, assistant news editor, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or mlevine@kauaipubco.com.
