emiller@westhawaiitoday.com
BY ERIN MILLER | WEST HAWAII TODAY
The scope of a bill requiring helmets for skateboarders was broadened Thursday, requiring anyone of any age to wear head protection, as the bill passed the House Judiciary Committee.
Committee member Rep. Clift Tsuji, D-Hilo, said he believes that amendment — previously the bill would apply to any skateboarders 16 years old or younger — makes it more enforceable.
“No matter what age, riding a skateboard without a helmet is dangerous,” Tsuji added.
Testimony during Thursday afternoon’s hearing was emotional, the representative said, as family and friends of a Hawaii Pacific University student who died in May following a skateboarding fall asked legislators to support the measure.
The Injury Prevention Advisory Committee last month provided written testimony to legislators regarding the number of skateboarding injuries in Hawaii. Annually, about 880 people are injured while using skateboards, the committee said. About 450 of those people are 16 years old or younger. The number of injuries relating to skateboarding is comparable to bicycling injuries, Chairman Bruce McEwan wrote, with 510 injuries, and car crashes, 470 injuries.
“None of the four children (who were wearing helmets) had a skull fracture, compared to nearly half of the unhelmeted children,” McEwan added.
Attempts to reach Hawaii Police Department officials late Thursday, after the committee hearing concluded, to see if the department had taken a position on the measure, were unsuccessful.
emiller@westhawaiitoday.com