by Will Espero
The local news recently showed stories about e-bikers and e-motorcycles causing mayhem and chaos in Ewa Beach.
It was reported that the e-riders were committing numerous violations and disrupting the tranquility of the evening with as many as 200 riders gathering together.
The BikeFactory Hawaii is the store that organized the riding event, which is done regularly.
Videos on television showed many police intervening and trying to calm the situation.
Residents living in the area were fearful and stayed inside their homes to avoid the mayhem caused by mostly younger riders. It was reported that one rider was as young as seven years old.
Riders were illegally riding on the median strip, sidewalks, and roads. Some residents who witnessed the event were harassed and assaulted.
As of this writing, multiple investigations were ongoing by the police.
One 16-year-old male was arrested for disobeying a police officer, driving without the proper license, and disorderly conduct.
When I saw the video on the news, I was appalled and angry at what was going on in my community. The blatant disregard of the law was obvious. I blame parents for the actions of their children.
I was surprised that only one person was arrested, according to the nightly news.
Parents must be held accountable for their children’s actions, and I hope more arrests occur to send a strong message to these lawbreakers.
If parents or guardians cannot control their children on these bikes, which can cause serious injury and death, the children should not have e-bikes and e-motorcycles.
The Honolulu Police Department must come down hard on these individuals and enforce local laws.
Parents must speak to their children and demand that they follow the laws and rules related to e-bikes. Failure to follow these rules and laws must have serious consequences.
The Honolulu City Council recently passed laws about e-bike use, and the Hawaii State Legislature is currently crafting legislation on e-bikes.
Education within stores before and after a purchase must be available. Maybe an online class or online information can be developed, and parents can have their children utilize these online resources.
In February, a 7-year-old was killed in Ewa Beach while riding an e-bike. This sad accident should be a wake-up call to regulate e-bikes, enforce the laws, and think safety first when e-bikes are being used.
The Hawaii Legislature is now in session, and many more important issues are up for discussion and debate.
Federal cuts in state spending, affordable housing, a new jail to replace OCCC, homelessness, the rhinoceros beetle, and many other bills are being considered and can be seen or followed via capital.hawaii.gov.
One bill that failed or died was the measure to allow the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) to develop their land in Kakaako, which is makai of Ala Moana Boulevard.
OHA wanted to build market and affordable housing on these lands and provide opportunities like the surrounding lands in the area.
Those opposed to the bill did not want to see OHA develop the lands and wanted to see as little development as possible to keep the area open for all to enjoy. This is wrong, in my opinion.
The state of Hawaii has created a public waterfront park in the area used by many residents now. No negative changes are expected with the park, and access to the ocean would not be affected.
What lawmakers have done is stop Native Hawaiians from doing what non-Hawaiians have been doing since the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
From Waikiki to Ala Moana to Kakaako to downtown Honolulu, non-Hawaiians have profited and developed their property.
It’s a travesty that the Hawaii Legislature believed this valuable property could not be developed for the benefit of Native Hawaiians as OHA proposes
The majority of the Hawaii Legislature is not Native Hawaiian, and I can’t help but think this may have influenced the decision to kill the legislation supported by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
Many Native Hawaiians supported this bill, but the Legislature had the final say on the matter.
One would think it is only fair to allow OHA to develop its land under strict conditions and close oversight, but the Hawaii Legislature failed the Native Hawaiian community, in my humble opinion.
The madness in Washington, DC, continues as Donald Trump moves forward with his priorities, ideas, and goals. Immigrants are being detained and deported without due process.
Federal workers are being fired and rehired after federal court decisions. A plan to acquire the Panama Canal is being developed by the Pentagon.
The federal Department of Education is being gutted. Federal agencies are being downsized or eliminated.
Ukraine and NATO are being left behind in favor of Russia. Gaza is being looked at by Trump as a future resort destination.
The news media and social media are having a field day reporting about the Trump presidency.
A non-secured text thread by Trump officials about military action and war plans against Houthis stunned many when a news reporter was accidentally included in the discussion.
It was a breach of national security, and laws were violated by Trump officials.
This episode will be a stain on the Trump administration, and we can only hope that the Republican-led Congress will hold hearings to make sure this incredible, sloppy mistake never happens again.
As the Trump presidency moves forward with its agenda, peaceful protests and civil disobedience are occurring nationwide. Town hall meetings are filled with angry constituents when they are held.
Trump has ignited a fuse within the American people, and many believe our democracy is at stake as Trump pushes the limits and tests his judicial appointments.
We must all stay alert and attentive each day we awake. Read the newspapers, watch the nightly news, and speak with your friends and family.
Many have died for the freedoms we have and cherish. We cannot allow one man to dismantle the foundation of our great country.
WILL ESPERO retired from the Hawaii legislature after serving 19 years in the state House of Representatives and state Senate. He is currently a novelist, poet, and supporter of the arts. Lingering Thoughts provides a glimpse of his perspective on current events and issues.
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