Maui Police to tow vehicles operated by arrested DUI drivers
WAILUKU — Hawaii authorities will start towing vehicles operated by people in Maui arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Maui County Council passed the DUI tow regulation and Mayor Michael Victorino signed it into law in December, The Maui News reports.
Maui Police Department officials expect to implement the new law by the end of the month, authorities said.
“We’re trying to change behavior to prevent drunk driving,” said Lt. William Hankins, commander of the police Traffic Section. “The overall intent behind this law is to target people driving impaired.”
The law allows police to tow vehicles operated by drivers who are arrested for driving under the influence, driving without a license or driving after their license is suspended or revoked for impaired driving, authorities said.
The registered owner of the vehicle would be responsible for paying the towing and storage fees, which could range from $300 to $600 depending on how long the vehicle is held and when it was towed, police said.
Drivers will be given the opportunity to choose one of 10 listed towing companies, authorities said.
Police won’t tow a vehicle when a passenger is sober, has a driver’s license and is willing to assume the responsibility of driving the vehicle away, authorities said. Police also won’t tow if the vehicle is parked at the residence of the registered owner or operator.
“Having this tool is going to take a weapon away from offenders, and it’s going to keep the roads clear and make it safer for everybody else,” Hankins said.
The new law does not generate money for the county, authorities said.
Last year, at least 15 of the 23 traffic deaths in Maui County were alcohol or drug related, police said.
Police made 533 DUI arrests last year, authorities said.
“I’m definitely excited to see this tow ordinance happen,” Mothers Against Drunk Driving volunteer Andrea Maniago said. “If it helps bring the numbers from 15 to zero, that would definitely be the goal. If not, I’m just hoping that this tow ordinance will lower the number of deaths caused by DUIs.”
Hawaii water utility, contractors penalized for pollution
HONOLULU — A water utility company in Hawaii and a group of local contractors have received a notice of violation after polluting a stream in west Oahu last year and failing to report the action for more than two weeks.
The Hawaii Department of Health has issued a violation notice against the companies for releasing sediment into Nuuanu Stream and failing to report it for 15 days, The Star-Advertiser reports.
The Honolulu Board of Water Supply, R.M. Towill Corporation, SSFM International Inc. and Drayko Construction Inc. face a possible $420,000 fine, officials said.
“If an unlawful discharge occurs, the Board of Water Supply and its contractors are responsible for acting immediately to mitigate the impacts and report the incident to the Department of Health. In this case, neither the Board of Water Supply nor its contractors acted as required by law,” said Keith Kawaoka, deputy director of environmental health.
The sediment turned the stream dark brown and affected residents living downhill, including some property owners with koi ponds, health officials said.
The notice requires violators to take preventative action against additional discharges, officials said.
Board officials said in a statement that they are reviewing the notice and order and would have no further comment at this time.
The Board of Water Supply manages water resources and the distribution system and serves about 1 million customers on Oahu.
In an unrelated violation, a property owner and its contractors also face fines for dumping dirt, gravel and construction materials into Manoa Stream since May without state permits or authorization, health officials said Friday. The Hayama Trust, HH Constructions Inc. and Structural Hawaii Inc. face a $40,000 penalty, officials said.
From wire sources
