HONOLULU (KHON2) — It is a situation over signs in Waikiki that is creating controversy — again.
KHON2 first told the public about their plight back in March when businesses in the Waikiki Marketplace on Kuhio Avenue were close to shutting down because they could not post their signs due to City regulations.
The City gave them a reprieve after KHON2 aired their story. Now, they have been cited once more.
Shingo Nakajima, president of Franks & Fries says up until now, he thought he was allowed to post his sign for his business. So, he was shocked to get a notice of violation from the City, telling the businesses that they need to put their signs back 20 feet from the property line.
“They’re telling us we have to put our signs all the way back. Which won’t really mean anything, because they [people] won’t see the signs,” Nakajima said. “If we don’t have the signs outside, our sales drop by 50 percent.”
Last fall, City inspectors notified businesses in this Waikiki area that the signs had to go, to comply with a City regulation that prohibits portable signs in the Waikiki District. Several establishments were close to closing because they were losing business.
In March, the Department of Permitting and Planning (DPP) agreed to temporarily suspend enforcement of portable signs in the district, while they re-evaluate the land use code.
“The most frustrating part is we’re getting mixed signals from the City,” Phil Haake said. Haake is the manager of Kono’s Northshore in Waikiki.
KHON2 contacted the DPP, and a released statement said that the policy is to allow one A-frame sign per business. As long as the sign does not create a hazardous issue such as pedestrian right of way.
Regarding the recent notices of violations, the DPP is reviewing each citation and will retract any notice of violation that does not comply with this policy.
“To me, it just breaks down to like how can a real estate agent have their signs out yet we can’t have ours out.” Haake said.