LIHU‘E — County authorities now have the ability to fine individuals $250 and business owners $500 for violating state and county COVID-19 rules.
Mayor Derek Kawakami issued the new emergency rule Friday, effective immediately, which was approved by Gov. David Ige, establishing a set of infractions for noncompliance of rules governing the wearing of masks, sizes of indoor and outdoor gatherings and restaurant and social-establishment capacities.
Current rules state individuals are required to wear masks indoors unless they are actively eating or drinking. Bars, restaurants and other social establishments must operate at 50% capacity, and events with more than 50 people must contact the county and seek approval. No more than 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors are allowed to gather at one time in a social setting.
“This new rule will allow for better enforcement of mask rules, gathering and capacity limits and event requirements with fines instead of misdemeanor offenses,” Kawakami said in a release.
Kawakami pointed to the currently surging COVID-19 infection rate in the state spurred by a more-transmittable variant of the virus.
“The highly contagious delta variant is spreading through our community,” Kawakami said ahead of the Labor Day weekend. “We all need to follow the rules to slow the spread of this disease while our case counts are at a record high. Please avoid large gatherings this holiday weekend and in the weeks to come, for the health of our community.”
Those with the county’s Department of Liquor Control, Department of Parks &Recreation park rangers and Kaua‘i Police Department officers have the authority to enforce the rule.
“Establishing lesser offenses and penalties than a misdemeanor will allow officers to more efficiently enforce the safety rules,” KPD Assistant Chief Mark Begley said. “We hope these fines will be a good deterrence as we work to slow the spread of COVID-19.”
The rule is specific in distinguishing between attendees at gatherings and organizers, with owners and organizing leaders facing a doubled fine of $500. Rule No. 26, issued during this COVID-19 emergency period, was long-awaited by some as the Labor Day weekend approached, and states that the fine will be applied for each infraction.
Additionally, the rule also gives park rangers the authority to issue traffic-infraction fines.
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Sabrina Bodon, editor, can be reached at 245-0441 or sbodon@thegardenisland.com.
Nero fiddling while Kauai burns………
Pure tyranny. They can’t enforce these laws as this is a clear abuse and violation of the Emergency Use Authorization Act. They can write up all the tickets they want. You don’t have to pay them and the government has no legitimate recourse to collect. Another blow from our Dictator Kawakami.
I know its crazy how people have to do such hard hard things like wear a mask and try not to have big gatherings. So so hard. Almost the same thing as Hitler gathering all the Jews up and killing them. And almost the same as Stalin killing millions. I’m sure you would much rather be locked up in a camp than have to pay a $250 fine for not wearing a mask because of “muh rights!” . Well people that literally know nothing about anything are why we have such crazy laws.
It’s a Shane they didn’t announce this a week or two ago so people would know about it and maybe do some good over Labor Day weekend.
KauaiFarmMan:
It would be great if just once in awhile you knew what you were talking about. LOL.
All Hawai’i police departments CAN issue citations, they ARE legit, and you DO need to pay them. We have this wonderful tool called the internet where you can procure reality. You really should try it because throughout this pandemic you’ve been posting nonsense, and behaving like a defiant toddler.
It’s pitiful that any resident in Hawai’i would not just cooperate with what’s being asked of them in an effort to control the overwhelming issues our hospitals are facing right now.
Are there limits for people inside smaller stores like 7-11 or the convenience stores or is it a free for all??
So you took so much credit for protecting your community, Now according to your standard this is your fault. Turning a blind eye to the people who have caused 4 clusters ect…. Politics kill. Egos are ugly.
It’s so sad how the masses don’t see they are being deceived. Our freedoms are being taken away. And all of you are cheering it on.