Monday, June 22, 2015

Musings: Beach Blanket Bingo

Police Chief Darryl Perry says it's time to get alcohol out of the public parks, following two harassment incidents at Hanalei pier that involved intoxicated young adults.

“Nothing good has ever come about by having intoxicated adults and juveniles who are unable to control themselves,” Perry wrote me in an email. “I’m not talking about the fishermen who peacefully do their own business fishing and enjoying a beer or two, but those individuals who go down to the parks and beaches blast their radios, get stupid drunk, instigate fights, assault innocent people, then drive off blitz out of their minds. The police can’t be everywhere at once, and usually by the time we get there because of limited staffing, the damage is done."

Perry wrote that he knows his proposal is controversial, but “it’s time we seriously start thinking community safety over tradition; this is not the same Kauai of the 60s and 70s when I grew up.  My personal thoughts.”

Though the two incidents are unrelated, in terms of perpetrators, Perry identified several common themes: the approximate age of the suspects (young adults), intoxication, unprovoked taunting of the victims, disorderly conduct by the suspects and location.

“Let me state unequivocally that the actions of the suspects are an embarrassment to our community because that is not reflective of who we are as a community and culture,” Perry wrote. “With that said, we are doing all that we can to identify and prosecute these individuals. And moving forward, KPD is stepping up our patrol efforts in Hanalei and other park areas where our families gather.”

The Garden Island reported an unidentified Hanalei businessman plans to seek merchant support to hire guards to patrol the pier area, promoting me to ask Perry if KPD has any sort of policy regarding private security guards patrolling public beaches. His response:

No we don’t.  But the State (RICO) regulates Security Guards setting training and certified criteria.  If private security were hired by a gated community for example, the guards would have no law enforcement powers.  Generally they would report suspicious activities and/or crimes in progress to KPD and we would respond. Their role is more on the prevention side.

If there was a confrontation with someone who was disorderly, security guards are not authorized to engage the individual unless they or someone else was physically assaulted.  Then, they would have the right, as any citizen would to defend themselves or others, but they can only use enough/reasonable force to stop the threat; once the threat has been eliminated no further force may be used.  At that point, KPD must be contacted so that we can record the incident and take appropriate action.

In response to claims that the harassment was racially motivated, Perry went on to write:

In light of the recent murders that occurred in a Charleston, South Carolina church, and our concerns involving the Hanalei incidents, I conducted  research on “Hate Crimes” under HRS 846-51 to determine whether or not the Hanalei events would qualify based on our definition.  However, my understanding is that the classification of a hate crime is determined by the OPA based on the investigation provided by KPD.  It’s a procedural matter so that there is consistency throughout the State regarding proper classification.  Therefore, I cannot answer that question.

But, even if the Hanalei events were to be classified as hate crimes, “Hawaii law does not provide for enhanced sanctions against perpetrators of misdemeanor-level hate crimes, [but] these offenses must still be reported for statistical purposes” according to the Office of the Attorney General.  In other words, if convicted, say for Harassment, the punishment would be the same regardless of its Hate Crime status; according to HRS, no enhanced sentencing can be attached.

The police still have released no details on what allegedly went down in either incident. We've had only a report from a California teacher to The Garden Island regarding the May 30 incident, and another from an unidentified witness to the June 16 incident. I've made a public records request for police reports in both cases, so we can learn what was actually reported to the police, as opposed to the rumor and hearsay published in TGI.

While it's fine to use unnamed sources, the problem is that TGI reporter Brittany Lyte hasn't been around long enough to judge the credibility of her sources, or determine whether they have a particular ax to grind. In her most recent story, she allowed an unnamed person who allegedly was a witness to the June 16 incident make a number of sweeping pronouncements, proclaiming the situation was “out of control,” a group of young local males on the beach “were making it miserable for everybody” and “we need to have a cop cruise up and down that parking lot.”


That may be the case, but I'd feel a lot better if I knew the wahine making those claims is a credible person, and doesn't work for one of the real estate companies or other entities that is slathering after the profits to be reaped by turning Hanalei into an exclusive community.

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

Typical Kauai style- Bad guys do bad things so make a law depriving 99 percent of the citizens from having a beer or two. If a Landscaper has an area with more weeds, he pays it more attention. If a school has an area with more mishaps they give more supervision. They don't shut down activity. KPD should patrol Hanalei more often. Work with some of the very respected people that frequent Hanalei. After all, KPOD has more cops making a hundred thousand per year than there are miscreants. Put these high paid guys to work. KPD is pushing some 200 members on the police force. Think of that 200 cops on this dinky little island.
Time to do some Patrol Management. But on the other hand, KPD does a good job. These Hanalei incidents are rare and get the blood boiling, but has been going on for years.
Life in society has risks, it is not right, but it is a fact.
Security Guards are a joke, unless you start a Hanalei Security Company with the well known bruddahs, who just make it known "this is my beach and nothing will happen"....tourists get picked on because the drunk wimps target them, not because they are tourists, but because if they confront a local there is no telling who the locals relatives might be. Pay backs are a bitch in Hanalei...."Oh Gee Unko, I nevah knew dat was your cuz...I'm sorry. Please don't hurt me" the blubbering perp pleas.

Anonymous said...

Have vs. Have not. If there were no liquor in Hawaii. We would not be here today. People do the sleaziest things to attain their goal/objective. give people alcohol and drugs to make them happy. make them enjoy themselves and then take their land. once you get the land, you sell um and make big profit. Haves vs. Have nothing.

Anonymous said...

MORE LAWS = LESS FREEDOM

Anonymous said...

"If there were no liquor in Hawaii. We would not be here today."- Funny bc it looks like Christopher Walken wrote it. Pathetic bc its misguided conspiratorial paranoia. Yeah buddy, it's society's fault.

"More laws= Less freedom"- And less drunken morons in public cussing and ranting around kids and families on all of Kauai's beaches:

Oh, the humanity! We are nothing without our exclusive right to drink beer all day long around our jalopy pick up trucks right smack dab on the beach next to a river mouth and a pristine reef, playing poorly produced reggae and wannabe gangsta rap from our truck stereos with Surfrider Foundation Stickers on them. Where will our feral small children go if we are forced by big brother to get hammered while cooped up in our homes on weekends?

Manuahi said...

Yes, 7:42. "A fool and his money are soon parted."

Anonymous said...

It's somewhat over reaching to even suggest that these two alleged incidents could possibly be realtors behind some plot to make Hanalei more exclusive. Having the courage to speak up as a witness to an incident should not put you a "suspected realtor" list.

Trust me on this, the realtors that live on Kauai aren't exactly Ivy League material, and really don't have the ability to organize a veiled plan to make a town become more exclusive like in AZ or CA.

Look at Gary Hooser. His short lived career as a realtor a few years ago went nowhere. With all of his contacts and an army of rich hippies under his spell, he sold dick and gave up on the real estate license. Do you really think he is smart enough to see past his fame seeking, and that he can envisions himself as getting rich by converting hot parched fields to Mc Mansions all over the westside?

As for Hanalei, Neil Norman is only interested in doing as least amount of work as possible, and to not have to shower for two days in the process. Without his parents and their friends, Neil would be in Florida wearing an ankle bracelet sprawled on the sofa in his mother's guest house.

The other Hanalei deal makers have been doing it for decades, and have interests that don't include running out the local community, which by the way, has been absent in Hanalei for quite some time.

Anonymous said...

I am a bit shocked to hear there is disbelief about the incidents at Hanalei Pier. Even before it was re-roofed it could be a hot bed for drunken ill advised behavior and has seemed to gotten worse. It should not be under locked down but it should be patrolled a bit more than it is. Where is the harm in that, Joan?

By the way, why no mention of the Civilbeat Article:

http://www.civilbeat.com/2015/06/its-not-just-hawaii-all-us-counties-lack-affordable-housing-study-finds/

I wish I could forward the abovementioned article to Eric Pape of "Living Hawaii" fame and get his thoughts. I would also like to hear your thoughts too, Joan.

Joan Conrow said...

12:40 -- While I find your Realtor characterizations quite amusing, I have not suggested that persons with certain economic interests have staged the Hanalei incidents, only that they might have incentives to characterize them in certain ways. And there's no real courage that I can see in giving anonymous comments to a newspaper. TGI reported only one witness was willing to give a statement to police and it didn't sound like it was the Kilauea woman quoted so extensively and anonymously in the paper.

Anonymous said...

I don't think it serves this blog to allow comments that are so gratuitously slanderous of people. I realize you don't like Neal Norman, and while letting someone make comments about Neal Norman's showering habits may serve your overall purpose of disparaging someone you don't like, without you having to be the one doing the disparaging, it isn't right and you shouldn't have allowed it.

Joan Conrow said...

It's only slander/libel if it's false and harms someone's reputation. Otherwise there's a freedom of speech issue, and believe me I withhold a lot of libelous comments.

Anonymous said...

What freedom of speech issue is at stake on a private, non-government website? The constitutionally protected right to smirk at Neal Norman's supposed personal hygiene?

Anonymous said...

2:07 Lighten up.

Anonymous said...

private so called security hired to so called patrol kauapea beach always amazed us all born and raised here. Michelle hughes sought to keep her beach private from anyone other than her cronies and guests. didn't happen. the skinny filipino guy couldn't do jack and was fond of approaching only topless mainland women, occasional crack head kid camping alone...he never went near the gay guys frolicking on 3rd beach plus he loved to throw his cigarette butts on our shoreline. Now he's exclusive behind seacliff gate coercing everyone. Private security at hanalei? jeez, what brains to imagine that scenario playing out? for $12/hour? who would ever consider plus no respect from anyone mainland/local others...
Leave Norman alone...hes reaping millions and all others are jealous regardless of his conniving east coast roots, trust fund money, slimy persona, doesn't give a damn self righteous flair and disconnect. it is what it is. karma comes

Anonymous said...

12:40 "And there's no real courage that I can see in giving anonymous comments to a newspaper." And it takes no courage to post anonymously on this blog. The vast majority of us commenters live in a climate of fear. Do you think this fear is justified?

Anonymous said...


You know, it's really getting a little old hearing that locals are jealous of all the rich mainland Haoles who have taken over the North Shore with their TVRs and huge monster houses. Since when do we want what they have? On the other hand, they certainly wanted what WE had!
Oh ya... Fo sho;
We're jealous of a bunch of douche bags!

Where's the aloha?
Aloha yourself.

Anonymous said...

RE incentives for realtors.....I'm not familiar with Kauai realtors and their agenda but I am very familiar with Maui's SHAKA movement leader Realasnake Mark Sheehan, who now calls himself an organic farmer.

Someone should look into whether any of these "organic farms" are profitable. And how they manage their weeds and insect pests, among other things.

Hey, anyone with enough money can buy an expensive Hawaii property, hire someone to plant some fruit trees and keep a garden, or form a 501 (c)(3) "Foundation" and get grants. Or, like many here, label yourself an organic farm and get free farm laborers in the form of idealistic visiting volunteer WWOOFers who you house in illegal makeshift shacks on the farm (in violation of building codes, worker protection laws, EPA and DOH cesspool rules, etc.). And then claim that organic farming is a viable option in Hawaii and can replace conventional farmers or those nasty corporate farmers who must be breaking some law that we'll invent with enough fear-mongering fabrications and political pressure.

Yes, organic farmer-Realtors can be anti-farmers marketing to wealthy mainland property investors looking for garden utopias without the annoying smells, noise, dust, smoke, pesticides, or other impacts from neighbors growing food and other agricultural products.

Maui is choosing to replace its locals with these folks. Sounds like Kauai is too.

Anonymous said...

12:20 Chock, Hooser and JoAnn Yukimura's model of "farming". Get 5 to 30 acres on the Northshore, cost is not important. In today's world on Kauai this will cost 1 to 10 million on the NS. Build House. Another 1 to 5 million. Plant sweet potatoes, taro, rambutan, get a couple of goats. Voila! You are a farmer and fit the perfect Kauai County FArm. No matter if you produce 50,000 dollars per year with a operating cost with insurance,water, TAXES and labor (the hippie at $50) at 80,000..30,000 loss. Of course you paid for the house and land by cash, so you don't need to capitalize the investment.
Farming is beautiful for the beautiful people, washed or unwashed.

Anonymous said...

As I scroll down the comment pages of Kauai Eclectic, I am saddened to see that many of the comments have devolved into vitriolic hyperbole. These carefully conceived caricatures in black and white perpetuate stereotypes and do little to offer solutions or promote common ground. We live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Some of us were born here, others of us moved here and found a place to call home. Can we find a way to live together? To treat one another with kindness and respect? To celebrate and honor our diversity? Can we contribute to our communities in ways that will be mutually beneficial to all? Are we willing to take responsibility for our own actions before pointing the finger at our neighbors? Is the glass half empty or half full? Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

Anonymous said...

The County is now trying to implement Rules on Development. Law passed years ago. Planning department is finally getting the rules. Strange .
I guess the Planning Department has been "ENFORCING" the law without rules. Only by personal opinion by the director. Not bad.
The new law and rules will screw any chance of local housing.
Maybe your input can make a difference...Our Council continuously passes laws that hurt the people and does NOT address problems.
Punch outs on the beach----outlaw drinking, let's make criminals out of everybody
No Housing- let's pass laws that make it more difficult to build for the locals.
Pukas in the streets, homeless, Mt Yukimura astonishing heights, drugs, out of control spending? No mind. The Council has NO plans to fix anything. No ideas. No bold leadership.
When is the last time the Council did something FOR the island? Where are the leaders? Oh yeah, trespassing on Ag Land, in Swizzerland, creating more jobs for friends on County payroll...Kauai Council Motto- doing unto others as they would never want others to do unto them. They all have big time pensions from State /County except Kipikai and Arryll....maybe the only 2 half way honest bananas in the over-ripe bunch. Yes, we have plenny over ripe bananas today.

Manuahi said...

I don't think that kama'aina necessarily hate tourists & transplants. It's more of the changes that have been made here. Not very long ago Kauai was almost entirely rural and agricultural. This means that most of the land was open and not strictly guarded. Since most folks worked in ag, they, their family and friends, had easy access or freedom to trespass over these lands that are now developed and closed off to them. The loss of ag jobs has been offset somewhat by tourist industry jobs and services provided to the newcomers and their estates. But what was open and easy is now closed, guarded and gone. I think it is the resentment of this that is the basis for much of misbehavior we see happening today. Of course, add drugs, booze and the resulting unemployment those substances cause along with the breakdown of the family and the tight-knit communities of the past and you get what's happening today. "Change" is not necessarily positive as some politicians would have us believe.

Anonymous said...

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do" When in Kauai, .... slight chance. People come to Kauai for different reasons. all individuals are different. some get along with others, some do not. We all don't need to think the same but we can all agree to disagree. we throw all kind kine words at each other to get a reaction. words can hurt, heal or mend. This blog allows us to express ourselves. some choose to hurt, some choose to heal and some choose to mend. we all live on Kauai which should be a special place to us. peace be with you all.

Anonymous said...

At 9:45 am and 9:47am - good posts. Riding bike on the back roads of Kekaha Sugar Plantation was the best times of my life. Things surely have changed, but life goes on and we should all make the best of it.

Anonymous said...

@ 7:23 am:

"As I scroll down the comment pages of Kauai Eclectic, I am saddened to see that many of the comments have devolved into vitriolic hyperbole. These carefully conceived caricatures in black and white perpetuate stereotypes and do little to offer solutions or promote common ground. We live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Some of us were born here, others of us moved here and found a place to call home. Can we find a way to live together? To treat one another with kindness and respect? To celebrate and honor our diversity? Can we contribute to our communities in ways that will be mutually beneficial to all? Are we willing to take responsibility for our own actions before pointing the finger at our neighbors? Is the glass half empty or half full? Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Well said. Be pono

Anonymous said...

The Chief wants to do a MASS punishment then why don't he do a MASS punishment to all the KPD syndicate PIGS and fire them and filed criminal charges and lock those dirty PIGS up.

Anonymous said...

7:32 jump in the council race you seem to think you have the ability talk is cheap!

Anonymous said...

So, I googled the reporter you mentioned. She's won a lot of prestigious awards for her work. I understand your point about the unnamed source, but seems like Ms. Lyte knows her stuff.

Joan Conrow said...

My question was, does she really know her sources? And my assertion is no, given her short tenure on the beat. Which then begs the question, can she really know her stuff, if she gives unknown sources such prominence?

Anonymous said...

Joan, please post the police reports when you get them. As I understand it, the police will not release them.

Joan Conrow said...

We're never going to get the police reports. They won't release them until the case is closed, which they define as set for trial, at which time the reports become irrelevant, because all the details would be in court documents, which are public. The reason cited is that release of the report could hamper a legitimate government function, since the case is still under investigation. Sadly, the Office of Information supports this interpretation of the law, which inhibits transparency in the police department.

Anonymous said...

From the blog entry by Joan Conrow: "I've made a public records request for police reports in both cases, so we can learn what was actually reported to the police, as opposed to the rumor and hearsay published in TGI."

From a comment by Joan Conrow: "We're never going to get the police reports. They won't release them..."


Anonymous said...

One other thought to add to my previous remark (I quoted your blog entry and comments). Maybe you should use the power of this blog to put pressure on the mayor's administration to change the rules regarding transparency.

TGI talked to other people. I applaud them for continuing to work to get the story, even thought the police refuse to let anyone see the reports.

Joan Conrow said...

Yeah, well that's how a public records request goes. You make the request full of hope that the record will be released so you can learn what really went down, and then you hit the reality of a system that wants to keep as much hidden as possible.

The policy on releasing police reports is rooted in state law, not county, so pressuring the mayor won't have much impact.

And you keep on applauding TGI and they won;t get any better.

Anonymous said...

Unless you can get the defendant to get those records from his/her public defender and make copies then present them before you. The state bldg doesn't have a copy machine for public use so the person will have to go else where to make copies. The public defender will tell you no documents should leave the bldg but it's the defendants right to have copies of charges filed against him/her.

Anonymous said...

The court house most definately has a copy machine for peope to use.