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Beachgoer hit by truck released from hospital
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| A beachgoer offers his pickup to transport the victim that was run over by a truck on the beach between the Kamalani Kai bridge and the Wailua Golf Course driving range, Sunday. The victim, 38-year-old Jacqueline Bigno of Puhi, was released from the hospital yesterday. Dennis Fujimoto/The Garden Island |
County seeks public’s help
By Coco Zickos - The Garden Island
LIHU‘E — Residents are responding with fervor to the incident last weekend involving a “modified” Nissan truck running over a Wailua beachgoer.
The woman who was hit while sunbathing Sunday afternoon is 38-year-old Jacqueline Bigno of Puhi, who was released on Wednesday from Queen’s Medical Center on O‘ahu after undergoing treatment for injuries, according to a hospital spokesperson.
The driver of the truck, Kawai Watanabe, was reportedly arrested at the scene, however, the arrest was unrelated to the incident. He was arrested for two bench warrants where he previously failed to appear in court.
The issue of what constitutes a “modified” or “re-constructed” vehicle and why they are often found on the beaches of Kaua‘i is a controversial issue, both for those who adamantly wish to continue the “cultural tradition” and those who strongly oppose the practice, urging government officials and the Kaua‘i Police Department to step up their enforcement.
“People are saying that it’s part of their culture, but Hawaiians walked everywhere. They didn’t drive monster trucks that scared people and little children,” said John Moon of Citizen’s for a Safe Kaua‘i, who has long been an advocate for decreasing the number of “illegal” vehicles on the roads and beaches. “The tires assault the land and people around them.”
Moon said this has been an ongoing “problem” on the island for an extended period of time.
“Everybody has pointed the finger and refuses to do anything. It’s been allowed to go on and people ignore it. Nobody wants to enforce it,” said Moon. “Can’t they recognize giant, monster trucks tearing up the grounds and scaring babies?”
Hawai‘i Revised Statutes 291-35.1 states that the maximum bumper height for a vehicle weighing between 7,501 and 10,000 pounds is 35 inches off the ground. The maximum bumper height for a vehicle weighing between 4,501 and 7,500 is 33 inches.
The exact measurements of Watanabe’s truck have not been disclosed yet by KPD.
“Government officials are reminding the public that operating motor vehicles on Hawai‘i’s beaches is not legal,” a county news release states.
Motor vehicles include cars, trucks, go-carts, motorcycles, motor scooters, dune buggies and all other types of motor vehicles, the release says.
The statement also said that the only capacity in which vehicles are permitted on county beaches — which include Hanalei, Kekaha and Kealia — is “to drop off or pick up people or supplies for picnicking, fishing, camping or swimming.” According to KPD, the penalty for anyone found in violation of the ordinance is a fine of up to $1,000.
Vehicles are not allowed under any circumstances on state beaches, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Hawai‘i Administrative Rules 13-221, which govern state unencumbered lands including beaches and coastal areas, states that anyone driving a “motor vehicle” in these areas could face fines of up to $500.
DLNR spokeswoman Deborah Ward said Sunday’s incident at a beach called “Kitchens” falls under county jurisdiction.
When asked if the state would be taking any steps to help prevent further accidents from occurring, DLNR officials said they “plan to continue addressing violations at state beaches and anyone who witnesses vehicles driving on a beach can call KPD or DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement to make a report.”
“We are asking for the public’s help in notifying us about vehicles driving on beaches,” county spokeswoman Mary Daubert said Thursday. “This is the major way we are increasing enforcement in that environment.”
Moon said he doesn’t believe this action is in the best interest for those making the call to report vehicles.
“If you report one, you would have to give testimony and nobody in their right mind is gong to be a stool pigeon and get beat up,” said Moon. “And, first of all, what if you get caught writing down the license plate number?”
Daubert said investigations are still underway and no arrests or citations have been made.
“We did open an investigation and all evidence is being taken into consideration,” she said.
While reckless behavior was reportedly not the case in this particular incident, Moon said he often witnesses individuals driving “monster trucks” on Kaua‘i’s roads and beaches, acting with aggression and causing an endangerment to the lives of others.
“There’s no aloha in all this aggressive behavior,” said Moon.
KPD asks for anyone who sees a motor vehicle operating on a beach to note the vehicle’s license plate number and call police dispatch at 241-1711 or Crime Stoppers at 241-1887.
• Coco Zickos, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or czickos@kauaipubco.com
The woman who was hit while sunbathing Sunday afternoon is 38-year-old Jacqueline Bigno of Puhi, who was released on Wednesday from Queen’s Medical Center on O‘ahu after undergoing treatment for injuries, according to a hospital spokesperson.
The driver of the truck, Kawai Watanabe, was reportedly arrested at the scene, however, the arrest was unrelated to the incident. He was arrested for two bench warrants where he previously failed to appear in court.
The issue of what constitutes a “modified” or “re-constructed” vehicle and why they are often found on the beaches of Kaua‘i is a controversial issue, both for those who adamantly wish to continue the “cultural tradition” and those who strongly oppose the practice, urging government officials and the Kaua‘i Police Department to step up their enforcement.
“People are saying that it’s part of their culture, but Hawaiians walked everywhere. They didn’t drive monster trucks that scared people and little children,” said John Moon of Citizen’s for a Safe Kaua‘i, who has long been an advocate for decreasing the number of “illegal” vehicles on the roads and beaches. “The tires assault the land and people around them.”
Moon said this has been an ongoing “problem” on the island for an extended period of time.
“Everybody has pointed the finger and refuses to do anything. It’s been allowed to go on and people ignore it. Nobody wants to enforce it,” said Moon. “Can’t they recognize giant, monster trucks tearing up the grounds and scaring babies?”
Hawai‘i Revised Statutes 291-35.1 states that the maximum bumper height for a vehicle weighing between 7,501 and 10,000 pounds is 35 inches off the ground. The maximum bumper height for a vehicle weighing between 4,501 and 7,500 is 33 inches.
The exact measurements of Watanabe’s truck have not been disclosed yet by KPD.
“Government officials are reminding the public that operating motor vehicles on Hawai‘i’s beaches is not legal,” a county news release states.
Motor vehicles include cars, trucks, go-carts, motorcycles, motor scooters, dune buggies and all other types of motor vehicles, the release says.
The statement also said that the only capacity in which vehicles are permitted on county beaches — which include Hanalei, Kekaha and Kealia — is “to drop off or pick up people or supplies for picnicking, fishing, camping or swimming.” According to KPD, the penalty for anyone found in violation of the ordinance is a fine of up to $1,000.
Vehicles are not allowed under any circumstances on state beaches, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Hawai‘i Administrative Rules 13-221, which govern state unencumbered lands including beaches and coastal areas, states that anyone driving a “motor vehicle” in these areas could face fines of up to $500.
DLNR spokeswoman Deborah Ward said Sunday’s incident at a beach called “Kitchens” falls under county jurisdiction.
When asked if the state would be taking any steps to help prevent further accidents from occurring, DLNR officials said they “plan to continue addressing violations at state beaches and anyone who witnesses vehicles driving on a beach can call KPD or DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement to make a report.”
“We are asking for the public’s help in notifying us about vehicles driving on beaches,” county spokeswoman Mary Daubert said Thursday. “This is the major way we are increasing enforcement in that environment.”
Moon said he doesn’t believe this action is in the best interest for those making the call to report vehicles.
“If you report one, you would have to give testimony and nobody in their right mind is gong to be a stool pigeon and get beat up,” said Moon. “And, first of all, what if you get caught writing down the license plate number?”
Daubert said investigations are still underway and no arrests or citations have been made.
“We did open an investigation and all evidence is being taken into consideration,” she said.
While reckless behavior was reportedly not the case in this particular incident, Moon said he often witnesses individuals driving “monster trucks” on Kaua‘i’s roads and beaches, acting with aggression and causing an endangerment to the lives of others.
“There’s no aloha in all this aggressive behavior,” said Moon.
KPD asks for anyone who sees a motor vehicle operating on a beach to note the vehicle’s license plate number and call police dispatch at 241-1711 or Crime Stoppers at 241-1887.
• Coco Zickos, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or czickos@kauaipubco.com
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of kauaiworld.com.
hinalea wrote on Jan 23, 2009 1:59 PM:
" jr1956 - Please keep your rude, inhumane and ignorant comments to your uneducated self. You do not know this person or the correct details of the situation. The newspapers on Kauai have little to report and therefore sensationalize any incident that arises hoping to excite ignorant readers - like you - into mass hysteria created by snap judgments.
You are the mob. Learn to think for yourself and make well-informed decisions. A little advice - think before you type.
Me Ke Aloha Pumehana "
You are the mob. Learn to think for yourself and make well-informed decisions. A little advice - think before you type.
Me Ke Aloha Pumehana "
SeanGee91 wrote on Jan 23, 2009 6:46 PM:
" This is a very degrading event.
I'm still an attending High School student, so I don't know much about how the Hawaii state laws work. However, sympathy should be overlooked carefully. I still consider this incident to be somewhat of a foul play on both the driver and the victim, because obviously the driver had no intention on harming another life, along with innocence in the victims place.
I feel that the law, as it is today, seems to be overused in situations unnecessary, however.
My sincere prayers are out for the victim in this tragedy. I would believe that the conscious minds would do the same.
-Aloha "
I'm still an attending High School student, so I don't know much about how the Hawaii state laws work. However, sympathy should be overlooked carefully. I still consider this incident to be somewhat of a foul play on both the driver and the victim, because obviously the driver had no intention on harming another life, along with innocence in the victims place.
I feel that the law, as it is today, seems to be overused in situations unnecessary, however.
My sincere prayers are out for the victim in this tragedy. I would believe that the conscious minds would do the same.
-Aloha "
wailua wrote on Jan 23, 2009 8:21 PM:
" MAHALO HINALEA for your comment!!! it means much to me and my family. ALoha "
g-man wrote on Jan 23, 2009 8:48 PM:
" Looks like hinalea has a lil' crush on Kawai. How cute. I like the two bench warrants, personally. Keep it classy, Kawai. "
kealiabound wrote on Jan 23, 2009 9:42 PM:
" RIVERS IS A GOOD GUY! BOTTOM LINE THIS WAS A FREAK ACCIDENT. IF YOU READ THE POSTS MADE BY THE WOMANS DAUGHTER YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THAT THESE PEOPLE KNOW EACHOTHER WELL! DONT BUTT IN AND THINK YOU KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT! YOU DONT KNOW HOW PEOPLE LIVE ON KAUAI, AND YOU DEF. DONT KNOW HOW IT GOES DOWN IN WAILUA! IF YOU DONT KNOW THE REAL STORY SHUT UP! KEEP IT KAUAI IT. http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2009/01/19/news/kauai_news/doc497429d34e868395578164.txt
PLEASE READ THE POSTS MADE BY A GIRL NAMED "wailua"
THEN FORM YOU OPINION!
AND DONT JUDGE PEOPLE WHO ARE FORTUNATE TO LIVE A LIFESTYLE THAT CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS PERFECT.
AUNTY JACKIE WERE PRAYING FOR YOU! GET BETTER! AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR BEAUTIFUL SELF!
SHOOOOOTS "
PLEASE READ THE POSTS MADE BY A GIRL NAMED "wailua"
THEN FORM YOU OPINION!
AND DONT JUDGE PEOPLE WHO ARE FORTUNATE TO LIVE A LIFESTYLE THAT CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS PERFECT.
AUNTY JACKIE WERE PRAYING FOR YOU! GET BETTER! AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR BEAUTIFUL SELF!
SHOOOOOTS "
LegendaryYeti wrote on Jan 24, 2009 8:07 AM:
" Take a long look at allowing vehicles on the beach. This woman is very lucky to be alive. There was an incident on the beach in Oxnard, CA a few years ago where a patrolling POLICE vehicle ran over a tourist sunbathing on the sand, and THAT victim was killed instantly. "
yoyo wrote on Jan 25, 2009 2:49 AM:
" @kealiabound:
He may be a good guy and that may be a freak accident, but it's a freak accident that happened while he was breaking the law. It's something that wouldn't have happened if he wasn't driving on the beach. That's why the enforcement of that law is going to get more attention. Saying "Keep it Kauai" won't change that. "
He may be a good guy and that may be a freak accident, but it's a freak accident that happened while he was breaking the law. It's something that wouldn't have happened if he wasn't driving on the beach. That's why the enforcement of that law is going to get more attention. Saying "Keep it Kauai" won't change that. "
hinalea wrote on Jan 25, 2009 12:47 PM:
" G-man...you are also uninformed. Don't make assumptions about things you know nothing about. I'm sure you have never done anything wrong in your life - purposeful or accidental. You must be a model citizen that we should all strive to emulate.
Did you know that in many places you can be arrested, got to jail and/or have a bench warrant for overdue library books? Point being, you don't know him or his situation. You are not a judge and hopefully will never be a juror. A bench warrant doesn't indicate anything about a person's character. Instead of castigating someone you don't know why don't you have sympathy for a terrible, unforseen incident that has hurt all those involved. It's sad that there are angry, insecure people in the world that only see the negative in life.
No, I do not have a crush on Kawai - I am his sister.
wailua - a'ole pilikia :o) Give my aloha to your mom "
Did you know that in many places you can be arrested, got to jail and/or have a bench warrant for overdue library books? Point being, you don't know him or his situation. You are not a judge and hopefully will never be a juror. A bench warrant doesn't indicate anything about a person's character. Instead of castigating someone you don't know why don't you have sympathy for a terrible, unforseen incident that has hurt all those involved. It's sad that there are angry, insecure people in the world that only see the negative in life.
No, I do not have a crush on Kawai - I am his sister.
wailua - a'ole pilikia :o) Give my aloha to your mom "
USNWAILUA wrote on Jan 26, 2009 6:25 AM:
" Aloha I m just putting this on loud speaker cause I don’t give a.... you know what comes next after the.... I m serving in the military in the middle east I just got back from mission yesterday this is my third time out here to the middle east...my name is KAIMI TERIITAHI BAPTISTE I M KAWAI WATANABE OLDER BROTHER you DONT know my brother you DONT know my family you DONT know the families involved in this this paper I've grown up reading the Garden Island News Paper it was run by my best friend’s father it’s a shadow of its former self that reported facts it’s the same as a tabloid now and I'm not saying writers has gotten worse they are a product of the people they report to trying to keep their jobs cause we all know as older generations like to say the American public is just dumbed down over time you the public who just want to hear anything that make them stare harder at the page tell their friends not caring if it’s the facts as long as it’s something that has everyone saying WOW! Oh before you make a comment like this writer did without knowing all the facts I had 5 mins to write this after reading both articles and comments I get back to defending the rights of people who I don’t believe deserve them like the author to this article EVERYONE DESERVES TO SAY WHAT THEY THINK BUT WHEN YOU DONT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT OUR ONLY LITTLE BITS AND PIECES YOU HEAR FROM OTHERS AND YOUR JOB IS TO REPORT THE FACTS (comment amended) cause you’re not doing so hot with the job that is supposed to be about facts "
g-man wrote on Jan 26, 2009 11:52 AM:
" hinalea, being his sister makes it real easy for you to defend this irresponsible person. You will never be able to see the situation clearly based on that fact alone. Sorry to break it to you, but running over someone on the beach while having warrants for your arrest is not only irresponsible and criminal, it is also very lame. Your brother needs something to help his intelligence; he needs help in the brains department, if you get what I'm telling you. There are words for it, believe me. "
daydreamer wrote on Feb 2, 2009 1:00 PM:
" Accidents do happen to nice people.
Like all the car accidents, drownings, etc., people get all excited and want to find blame or fault with someone or something - blame police, blame driver, blame drugs, blame the county, blame the laws, blame the tabloids, etc., etc.
Stop pointing fingers - people cause the accidents.
But gotta say, if it is your time to go, you're going.
Next we'll be stopping people from driving on the roads, cause they may kill someone. This country has gone lolo in the blame department.
Take some responsibility for your own actions - accidents can sometimes be avoided with some care and common sense on the people involved. Did truck height hinder his ability to see woman on beach? Possibly - as I am sure he did not run over her on purpose!
So stop acting lolo and realize driver caused this accident with his vehicle's lack of sight lines - unless his foot slipped. In either case, surely driver is very sorry and is responsible enough to understand he was somehow at fault for this! You don't see him saying it's not his fault!
His character or lack of it is not an issue here. His bench warrants don't have anything to do with this accident and police did their job in arresting him on those charges. "
Like all the car accidents, drownings, etc., people get all excited and want to find blame or fault with someone or something - blame police, blame driver, blame drugs, blame the county, blame the laws, blame the tabloids, etc., etc.
Stop pointing fingers - people cause the accidents.
But gotta say, if it is your time to go, you're going.
Next we'll be stopping people from driving on the roads, cause they may kill someone. This country has gone lolo in the blame department.
Take some responsibility for your own actions - accidents can sometimes be avoided with some care and common sense on the people involved. Did truck height hinder his ability to see woman on beach? Possibly - as I am sure he did not run over her on purpose!
So stop acting lolo and realize driver caused this accident with his vehicle's lack of sight lines - unless his foot slipped. In either case, surely driver is very sorry and is responsible enough to understand he was somehow at fault for this! You don't see him saying it's not his fault!
His character or lack of it is not an issue here. His bench warrants don't have anything to do with this accident and police did their job in arresting him on those charges. "
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jr1956 wrote on Jan 23, 2009 8:13 AM: