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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 7 of 8)
UncleD Jul 24th 2009 6:40PM
Just curious..never been to Hawaii, but I assume they also have motor vehicles that look like taxi cabs with fancy paintjobs and side door/or top signs that say "Taxi Cab".?? If so, sounds like rollong billboards to me.
SAV ON Jul 24th 2009 6:23PM
I guess they don't have trucks with trailers that have "VONS" or "RALPHS" or motorhomes with "WINNEBAGO" or "AIRSTREAM" on the sides. How about the small signs that say "Ford", "Chevrolet" etc. The Weinermobile is an icon, it's not your average billboard. Does the law apply to vehicles? There are other places that ban billboards but the law doesn't apply to vehivles that are driven on a regular basis. Seems like Hawaii needs to get rid of their ancient law.
SAV ON Jul 24th 2009 6:20PM
I guess they don't have trucks with trailers that have "VONS" or
"RALPHS" or motorhomes with "WINNEBAGO" or "AIRSTREAM" on the sides.
How about the small signs that say "Ford", "Chevrolet" etc. The
Weinermobile is an icon, it's not your average billboard. Does the
law apply to vehicles? There are other places that ban billboards but
the law doesn't apply to vehicles that are driven on a regular basis.
Seems like Hawaii needs to get rid of their ancient law.
Leslie Jul 24th 2009 6:30PM
I was in Oahu a few years back and talk about a joke of a place to vacation. Save your money and the long boring flight over dark water and go to the Carribean which is much nicer. Honolulu is crowded and about as touristy as a city gets. Everything is overpriced. To make matters worse, I bought jewlery there and when I got home I was told it was not real gold, but I paid real gold prices! Pearl Harbor is moving but if I had it to do over again I wouldn't go back. People in Oahu complaining about the Wienermobile comes as no surprise to me. It is not a nice place.
kealii Jul 24th 2009 6:33PM
I live in Hawaii and I went to see the weinermobile and it was great! I even got a whistle! The outdoor circle needs should relocate to North Korea!
Joe Smith Jul 24th 2009 6:37PM
exactly ... some nutball group in Hawaii says something stupid
in the internet mob wants to start attacking Hawaii
you folks need to worry about your own backwater nonsense
Hawaii loved the Weinermobile
some Nutball group wrote a letter to complain -- that's it
and the Headline on this story is DISHONEST AND UNETHICAL
but the editor would never concede that!
Angela Jul 24th 2009 6:41PM
OMG don't these people have anything better to do. I understand no billboards. I wish we had that here in WA state, but it is moving so it is not a billboard and it is iconic. Can't they find anything better to do with there time.
David Jul 24th 2009 6:45PM
I recently had a Hawaiian native tell me that a couple of the most popular foods in his state are Spam and Ramen noodles. The man told me he was practically raised on the stuff, and even now loves those noodles. I bet hot dogs are just a bit complicated for the average Hawaiian to cook.
sue Jul 24th 2009 6:46PM
So 6-12 people complained about it and it is banned??????????????What in the hell is this world coming to????????????????????Must be lefties.
MELLE Jul 24th 2009 7:09PM
WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON,,,, !!!!???????
WE NEED FOR SOME PEOPLE TO GET A JOB !!!
IF YOU HAVE SO MUCH TIME THAT YOU CAN
REFERANCE A LAW FROM 90 YEARS AGO
YOU NEED TO GET OFF THE COMPUTER,
AND DO YARD WORK !!!! WORK OFF ALL THE ENERGY!!
karen Jul 24th 2009 7:12PM
If that is the law in Hawaii...then they should abide by it. In Connecticut, the Weinermobile did visit us years ago...we were all excited..It was so much fun to see....but Hawaii has certain laws that need to be abided by ...to protect it
Dave Jul 24th 2009 6:59PM
And this from the state that has a "Spam Festival" every year? And six to twelve people compained out of how many thousands that live in there? I have been to Hawaii and it is really beautiful but, please Hawaii, pull your head out of wherever it is and get a life. I'm sure you have better things to do than worry about the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile driving around Oahu.
JIM Jul 24th 2009 7:08PM
I used to see the old one many years ago when I lived in CA all the time.
It always brought a laugh to my puss.
These people in Hawaii seem to be real fun people and have a wonderful sense of humor!
jbjg24m Jul 24th 2009 7:21PM
idiots must not hot dogs !
Chris Jul 24th 2009 7:59PM
They got "6-12" complaints? How can you claim that people object to something if you don't know if they're actually complaining? This sounds like a real crock. How many people are in this "Outdoor Circle"? 0-1?
CLG Jul 24th 2009 7:29PM
Outdoor Circle has way too much time on their hands! They cant even decide if it was 6 or 12 people who complained. Must have been their entire membership.
BUT WAIT....Lets take their interpitation of the 1927 law a step further. Logo signs in front of business, hotels and attractions should also be banned. Lets really make the tourists happy so thay cant find anything. OOOHH YEEAH.... I guess all businesses should be banned from putting a sign on their vehicals. Yeah, .. Fed Ex and UPS will love that, and those pesky airplanes that fly in a big chunk of the money spent on the islands, they are even bigger billboards than the weinermobile, let alone all those contractors,and service people with a sign on their cars. BAN THEM ALL!!!! ..... Outdoor Circle that is!
P. Wilson Jul 24th 2009 7:28PM
I live on the Big Island, I say to Outdoor Circle - GROW UP!!! There are a lot of other way more important things for our legislators to do than worry about the WienerMobile. This group is just a little too full of themselves.
Kirby Morris Jul 24th 2009 7:36PM
six to ten people would complain if they hung with a new rope! Get real people, what ever happened to majority rule?
kevin Jul 24th 2009 8:02PM
i hope the economy keeps falling ,so no one dare travel due to the lack of money & hope hawaii is hit the hardest just for the fuck of it .assholes .
Fred Jul 24th 2009 7:39PM
I understand that Hawaii wants to keep their island paradise beautiful,but they ( citizens of Hawaii) need to use a little common sense. I see no harm in the Wienermobile making an occassional appearance. Besides,there are a lot more important issues to address.