KAPA‘A — For years, friends and families of graduating Kapa‘a High School seniors have posted congratulatory banners on the fence outside Kapa‘a Beach Park. The tradition carried on this year, until someone complained to the county on Monday. According to
KAPA‘A — For years, friends and families of graduating Kapa‘a High School seniors have posted congratulatory banners on the fence outside Kapa‘a Beach Park.
The tradition carried on this year, until someone complained to the county on Monday.
According to the Public Works Department, a county inspector removed 17 banners from the fence at Kapa‘a Beach Park and nine from the Kapa‘a roundabout the same day.
Doug Haigh, chief of the Building Division, said the county has a sign ordinance that prohibits the display of unpermitted banners.
The county responds to complaints regarding unpermitted banners and takes appropriate action, he said in an email to The Garden Island via county spokeswoman Mary Daubert.
“As for the banners at the Kapa‘a Beach Park, the county did receive a complaint about them so an inspector was sent to the park,” Haigh said.
Finding that the signs were unpermitted, the inspector removed them.
Several parents said they aren’t pleased.
“We have the political signs up for months and months and they’re all over the place,” said Davlyn Gamarra, a parent of a Kapa‘a High School senior. “And here these would only be up for a week at the most. I don’t know what the problem is.”
Gamarra said she put up two banners for her daughter on Sunday. One at the park simply said Tonia’s name. The other called her “our star.” They have since been taken down.
“We wanted to show our pride … and I know they look forward to it,” Gamarra said. “I think they deserve our support.”
Daubert said parents can pick up their signs from the Building Division office.
The county does not record the names of complainants, Daubert said, and she did not provide the exact nature of the complaint. Other removals could occur but are not planned at this time.
“The county does respond to complaints and takes appropriate action, so, if someone calls about banners in other areas, an inspector would be sent out,” she said.
Kevin Crawford said he picked up the banner he made for his son from the Planning Department on Tuesday at the Lihu‘e Civic Center.
“I know there are a lot of parents that are upset about this,” he said. “It was kind of a let down for all of the students.”
He put up his poster on May 9, which was followed by more from other proud parents. A week later, they all disappeared.
“All of a sudden to have them taken down without a warning or anything is just kind of uncalled for,” Crawford said. “These kids have put their time in, they’re graduating and it’s an honor to the kids and their families and friends to see their accomplishments.”
The Kapa‘a High School graduation ceremony starts at 6:30 p.m. Friday at New Kapa‘a Town Park Stadium. The Kaua‘i High School graduation starts at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Vidinha Stadium. The Waimea High School graduation begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday on the lawn in front of the school.
• Jessica Musicar, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or by e-mailing jmusicar@thegardenisland.com.
