Obstructed aisles
I have noticed that Home Depot, Walmart and others are using their aisles as displays for merchandise placed on pallets and other storage devices. These once generously open aisles have now been reduced in size to walkways, and shopping carts going in opposite directions need to pull over to get by.
When these stores submitted their plans for approval by the various county agencies, I doubt they showed on the plans the current clutter that obstructs these aisles.
Should there be a situation that causes a panic stampede, the resulting rush to get away would be the cause of many injuries as the various displays get knocked over by fleeing customers. Escape would be made more difficult for customers trying to get to safety if they have to maneuver around all the clutter. Also, injuries could be made worse if the cause of the panic was deadly.
Our citizens are not all athletes and make up a variety of abilities, some of which would have great difficulty evacuating a store with the aisles cluttered by all sorts of debris knocked over by previous fleeing customers.
“Means of egress: A continuous and unobstructed path of travel from any point in a building or structure to a public way … .” This is one of many definitions of egress, the key word being “unobstructed.” With merchandise cluttering the major aisles, they are not unobstructed.
Our county officials should address this problem and see if they have any authority to do something to correct or mitigate the situation. Lacking county involvement, the stores themselves, out of self-preservation, should address this problem before something horrible happens.
The incentive for the stores would be lower lawsuit settlements. The incentive for our county should be to make things safer for your bosses, otherwise known as citizens.
Department of Public Works: “They administer regulatory and code enforcements to improve the health and safety of our ‘ohana.”
Roger Schweitzer
Volcano
Strangers to the rescue
Thank you to the two good Samaritans who came to my aid at Lilioukalani Park on Wednesday, Nov. 10.
As I enjoyed my last lap around the park, my shoe caught on the uneven sidewalk, and in a split second, I fell down hard.
I immediately heard people asking if I was OK. Two young men assisted me in standing up. They kept asking how I was doing, did I injure my ankles, where was my car parked, etc.
They stayed with me, and after I regained my bearings, I assured them I was able to make it back to my car on my own.
Before I left, I asked for their names. I thanked Brad and Kelii profusely.
Although the subject was not raised, please know that I am vaccinated. (Note that I have already reported the trip hazard to the county.)
I may have been injured, but I had a smile in my heart because of their selfless caring for a stranger. Kelii and Brad, thank you so much, again.
A. Masulit
Hilo