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Hawaii says "stay away" to the Wienermobile
Apple pie, Baseball and the Wienermobile - seriously, there is not much more American than the iconic Oscar Mayer hotdog on wheels. People everywhere love seeing the Wienermobile, and contests are held yearly so people can get a chance to drive it themselves.
Unless of course you live in Hawaii. An archaic 1927 law bans all billboards on the Hawaiian islands, and a local organization claims the Wienermobile should be part of that ban. The group, Outdoor Circle, is pushing to keep the hotdog off the island forever.
The Wienermobile visited Hawaii for 3 weeks in July, and as far as Outdoor Circle is concerned, that is going to be its last visit.
According to the people behind the organization, "6 to 12 O'ahu residents complained". A 2006 law banning all vehicles with the sole purpose of advertising was also cited in the complaint.
The Honolulu mayor welcomed the Wienermobile to his city, and it was honored with an official "Oscar Mayer Wiener Day". The mayor is now looking into possible violations, but pointed out that no official complaints were received by them.
Sometimes you just wonder whether people are having such a hard time finding better things to do. Complaining about the Wienermobile violating a 1920's law just seems like a huge waste of time.
Filed under: North America, United States, News
Reader Comments (Page 5 of 8)
JACK Jul 24th 2009 4:29PM
THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THAT VEHICLE THAT TURNS ME ON! I REALLY WANT TO DRIVE IT!
John F.C. Taylor Jul 24th 2009 4:29PM
Is it an advertisement? Definitely. Is it a billboard? In the context of the law quoted, I'd say no. You've got to remember that this is coming from a state that consumes more SPAM than any other state in the union.
gr8bsn Jul 24th 2009 4:30PM
Michele Jul 24th 2009 4:10PM
Of all the fine cusine there is in Hawaii, who would want to eat weenies? I can just see them at a Loo wow.(spelling)?===>>>>Yeah, if SPAM is fine cuisine...I bet this protest is being orchestrated by the makers of SPAM as we speak (rivals of Oscar Meyer). Oh, by the way, it's spelled "luau".
JUSITN Jul 24th 2009 4:34PM
take theme 10-12 ppl and drive the weiner mobile up there..... aloha's
big bob Jul 24th 2009 4:50PM
It was probably a black man driving it
Timmay! Jul 24th 2009 4:53PM
Don't tread on the Wienermobile. Up with American wieners!!
Jim Oshust Jul 24th 2009 4:59PM
I guess its getting all that salt water in your nose and ears from all that surfing that causes Hawaiians to make such stupid decisions. Such a beautiful part of the worl populated by such amoeba brained legislators. Aloha dummies.
SLICK WILLY Jul 24th 2009 5:03PM
WELLL, SINCE THE WEINER-MOBILE IS SO OFFENSIVE, THE ONLY PROPER THING TO DO IS TO NOT ONLY HONOR THEIR REQUEST THAT
IT NOT RETURN, BUT TO ALSO WITHDRAW THE SALE OF ALL WEINERS, HOTDOGS AND SAUSAGES SO THEY WILL ALSO NOT OFFEND THE
POPULATIONS TASTE BUDS. THIS WOULD ALSO INCLUDE ANY AVAILABLE FOODS OR SIMILAR FOODS AT ANY RESTAURANTS AND FAST FOOD PLACES. TOURISTS WHO WANT TO ENJOY THIS AMERICAN TRADITION CAN VACATION IN OTHER TROPICAL LOCATIONS AND LEAVE THE HAWIAAN'S IN PEACE.
stephanie Jul 24th 2009 5:04PM
it must be nice to live in a place where advertising is the worst issue faceing the state. maybe i should move to Hawaii!
Dennis Jul 24th 2009 5:03PM
I remember as a kid, living in a small town, the arrival of the
wienermobile, 50 years ago, was one of the most exciting events ever
to occur there. OK,. I hear you laughing. Admittedly, we were hicks, similar to Little Rascals. But, still, the weinermobile has been around a long time. Hawai should consider it a museum on wheels from the continent and enjoy observing a momento from the past.
ny2virgnia Jul 24th 2009 5:04PM
At least Hawaii has politicians that actually show up to work and do something - unlike ours in New York ! The good news - while they are discussing that all important Weinermobile issue, they are not sprending time passing legislation to increase taxes !
John S Jul 24th 2009 5:08PM
Advertising is so prolific these days, even the city busses are garish display ads. I'd sooner ban those, then an icon like the Weinermobile. TV is more commercials than programming. Don't even get me started on those 30 minute infomercials.
Robert Jul 24th 2009 5:09PM
You folks missed the whole point here, they should send this thing too Iraq and then too Afganistan then too N.Korea and on and on and on......apparently, this is the worse thing since war too hit Hawaii, well besides what's his name....and speaking of being a weiner.
Joel Lafargue Jul 24th 2009 5:11PM
Hawaii:
Welcome to the 21st Century.
And...get over yourselves.
Old Does Not Mean Archaic Jul 24th 2009 5:11PM
Mostly, the whole thing is a bit silly. But the one thing that does bother me is the inference that the law is objectionable because it is "old" or "archaic." Maybe it's because I'm a traditionalist, but I can think of some laws - 10 of them to be precise - that are still perfectly functional after more than 5,000 years. If you don't like the billboard law because you feel it's being interpreted or applied inappropriately, fine; but don't disparage it on the basis of its age. (Forgive me, folks, for making so many of you run to the dictionary.)
yukers Jul 24th 2009 5:11PM
I can understand the billboards....though I don't consider the weinermobile one, so I find the complaints silly. But by bringing the weinermobile over there (even though the mayor welcomed it), we imposed our beliefs on them, which could be considered disrespectful. Afterall, it is what they believe and it is their law, and it is not for us to try to change their views on the subject.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
Natalie Jul 24th 2009 5:12PM
I can one up you. In this beautiful state of Alabama where some people cant seem to pull their heads out of their asses and/or the gutter we have now banned a wine simply because it has a "naked nymph" (their term) on the label (designed in 1895) and has been deemed "immodest" by the Alabama Beverage Control (ABC) Board.
"The state's alcoholic beverage regulators have deemed a wine label — featuring a vintage 1895 bicycle advertising poster with a nude nymph flying alongside a winged bike — as "immodest," and it must be removed from grocery store and bar shelves."
http://www.al.com/news/press-register/metro.ssf?/base/news/1248441416163310.xml&coll=3
I just took a picture with the weinermobile in Pensacola FL last week! how funny is that!
bobby Jul 24th 2009 5:13PM
So much for being the Aloha State...lol
Whats next? A National ban on the little dash board hula girl?
And how much Pinnapple Express you DO have to smoke to not know if its 6 or 12 people?
The Outdoor Circle call center hotline must have been buzzzzzing...lol
1-800-GET-LIFE
Peace :)
Chuck Jul 24th 2009 5:14PM
Ok fine-however the next time I go to your fair state I really don't want to see cars with Toyota written on them or GMC, ford, dodge, kia, buick and all of the rest. OK!
D.M. Jul 24th 2009 5:19PM
First Off - To place a ban on the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile would be a losing legal battle. Since the Weinermobile is a company vehicle, yes used primarily for advertising, it is still a company vehicle, no different from say a wholesale or retail merchants delivery vehicle with their company name and image on the side of it.
In essence, the ban would not only apply to the Weinermobile, but it would have to also cover all company trucks and vans that display their own company info on them, such as the side of big moving trucks with images of groceries or home furnishings, etc.
Now, provided that Oscar Mayer has a branch office or distributor in O'ahu, they too would have the same right to drive their vehicle on the island. However, if Oscar Mayer does not have headquarters or a branch office in O'ahu, then this may be one reason why they may not be permitted to use the vehicle on the streets.
Lastly, I don't remember, but does anyone in or around Honolulu or Waikiki remember seeing a RedBull car driving around. If so, they too would potentially be in violation of the billboard ban.
I personally think the ban is ridiculous. Go, Weinermobile! Go!