Lawmaker vows action following ‘floatilla’ incident
HONOLULU (AP) — A state lawmaker is promising action after a Fourth of July “floatilla” ocean party resulted in the hospitalization of 10 people for intoxication and injuries related to alcohol, including a 19-year-old woman in critical condition.
Chairman of the House Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources and Hawaiian Affairs and Maui Democrat Rep. Kaniela Ing said Wednesday that it is time for the Legislature to step in.
“We shouldn’t have to wait for someone to actually die before we take action,” Ing said during a news conference. “Once you step into the water, it’s technically legal for you to drink alcohol. Why is it not OK to drink on the beach, but it is OK to drink as soon as you step into the water? That makes no practical sense and it’s endangering the lives now of many young people.”
According to state law, a minor cannot consume, purchase or have liquor in any public place, public beach, public park or in any motor vehicle on a public highway.
That does not include in the water.
Ing said he plans to discuss the issue with House and Senate leadership, and introduce a bill that would close the legal loophole and make it illegal for all swimmers to be drinking in the water.
“We’re not trying to impede on anyone’s fun,” he said. “I’m a young guy. I’m all for having fun responsibly, but this has crossed a line repeatedly where (it’s) actually littering our beaches and endangering people’s lives.”
Ing said it is possible the issue could be addressed during an upcoming special session.
Meanwhile, the Honolulu Police Department said it is investigating six people for underage drinking in connection with Tuesday’s incidents.
“It’s difficult for us (to enforce),” Lt. Eric Yosemori said. “We need to observe the violation. In this case, it was the end result where the juveniles were already intoxicated.”
Yosemori said there is nothing Honolulu police can do out in the water, it’s out of their jurisdiction.
United apologizes after giving away toddler’s seat
HONOLULU (AP) — United Airlines apologized to a Hawaii teacher who was forced to hold her 2-year-old son on her lap for three and a half hours after an employee gave the toddler’s purchased seat to a standby passenger.
Shirley Yamauchi said she paid almost $1,000 each for two tickets because children older than 2 are required to have their own seat.
She boarded the plane in Houston with her son, Taizo, and they took their seats.
The Kapolei Middle School teacher said a flight attendant came to check if Taizo was present before a standby passenger showed up with a ticket with the toddler’s seat number.
Yamauchi said she told a flight attendant about the problem, but the woman just shrugged, said the flight was full and walked away.
The company issued an apology five days after the incident.
