The other evening, after a long day cleaning the gardens, we were loading up the truck when a car of young people pulled in to the space next to us. They exited their car holding adult beverages and lit cigarettes.
three buckets of litter collected one morning by sixth grade girls from Kamehameha Schools
As they headed toward the large picnic table at the old sumo ring pavilion in Lili`uokalani Gardens, I said, “Excuse me. You might like to know that this is a no smoking park.”
“Oh, sorry,” they replied. “I never saw a sign.”
this bucket was mainly caps from beer bottles
Lili`uokalani Gardens also is an alcohol-free park as is true of many other public areas. For example, a total of 19 areas in North and South Kona either require a permit or prohibit all consumption of alcohol outright. According to an article in West Hawaii Today, “People found drinking in parks and beaches in violation of the county code can be cited for a petty misdemeanor, which is punishable with up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.”
this bucket was miscellaneous litter including a drink container, plastic straws, and a rubber slipper
this bucket contained approximately 600 cigarette butts, most of which were picked up around the old sumo ring pavilion near the small parking lot
Here is the sign people drive past in order to get to the picnic table in the old sumo ring pavilion. $100 for each smoking offense and $1,000 for littering.
sign at the entry to the small parking lot off Banyan Drive near the tea house
Do you really need a sign to tell you how to behave in a public park? Here is one from another district.
Do you really need a sign to tell you to pick up after your dog?
Do you really need a sign to tell you carving or painting on public property isn’t a good idea?
Come on people!
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has a “This Place Matters” campaign to celebrate places of meaning and importance to communities
U.S. Japanese Gardens 