Red light camera bill moves ahead ADVERTISING Red light camera bill moves ahead HONOLULU (AP) — Two state Senate committees approved legislation that would authorize the use of cameras to catch motorists who run red lights. The bill would allow
Red light camera bill moves ahead
HONOLULU (AP) — Two state Senate committees approved legislation that would authorize the use of cameras to catch motorists who run red lights.
The bill would allow Honolulu and three neighbor island counties to install cameras that take pictures of vehicles as they run red lights. The counties would issue citations to the owners of the vehicles.
Sen. Clarence Nishihara, D-Oahu, said the proposal is about public safety, but he also acknowledged it likely will be met with resistance.
In 1998, Hawaii passed a law authorizing a similar photo enforcement system to ticket speeding motorists. But lawmakers faced public outcry when a private contractor deployed the system, known as “van cams,” on Oahu in 2002. The law eventually was repealed.
The measure was approved Tuesday by the Senate committees on Transportation and Energy and Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs.
Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia currently use red-light enforcement cameras, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.
HPD chief seeks probe of old child abuse case
HONOLULU (AP) — Honolulu police are opening an investigation into the handling of a case from two years ago that involved a child who was hospitalized with multiple injuries after he was picked up from a day care operated by a police officer’s wife.
Acting police Chief Cary Okimoto said Wednesday he has “serious concerns” about the case and wants the department to take another look at how it was handled.
Chelsea Valiente said her then-1-year-old son was fine when she dropped him off at the Ewa Beach home day care in January 2015.
But she received a call from the home hours later saying the child was having trouble waking up.
Peyton Valiente was hospitalized with several unknown injuries. He since has recovered.
Chelsea Valiente said she would like to see the new investigation lead to people being held responsible for what happened to her son.
Okimoto said he is also seeking an audit of other cases to figure out where the department is “falling short.”
Hanabusa hosts round-table talk about ACA
HONOLULU (AP) — U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa is hosting a round-table discussion in her Honolulu office about possible changes to the Affordable Care Act.
Repealing former President Barack Obama’s signature health care laws is one of President Donald Trump’s priorities.
Hanabusa is concerned changes proposed by congressional Republicans could result in significant harm and loss of important health benefits. She’s also worried about losing federal funding.
Several state lawmakers, officials and health industry officials will be there. They also plan to discuss changes to Medicaid expansion and lifetime limits of coverage.
The public is invited to attend the meeting at 10 a.m. today in her downtown office. Space is limited.
