Q. I notice some restaurants don't allow their customers to use the restrooms at their businesses. I thought there was a state law that required businesses that serve food to also provide a restroom for customers. What's going on?

A. It turns out that the state Health Department's rules require restaurants to have a restroom for their employees but not for their customers.

Department spokeswoman Janice Okubo explains: "They're required to have a restroom available for their workers in order to have sanitary practices." She said most restaurants do provide restrooms to their customers "as a courtesy, but they're not required to do so."

While not requiring restrooms for customers, the rules go into some detail on what must be provided in those worker-friendly restrooms, including soap, sanitary towels, disposable towels or hand-drying device.

Q. If I stop for a pedestrian, but the pedestrian waves me to go, what should I do? If I stop for a pedestrian and once they've crossed my lane, but not yet passed the midpoint and the driver behind me honks, can the police then pull over the honking driver and give them a warning?

A. The new crosswalk law continues to prompt a lot of questions, so we asked Honolulu police Lt. Jeff Bruchal to help explain. First, even if a pedestrian waves you in front of them while they're in the crosswalk, Bruchal says you should wait for them to cross the road's midpoint — as the new law requires — before you proceed. And while it may be rude and irritating to have a driver honking at you for obeying the law, Bruchal said, "Unfortunately, there's no statute against unlawful honking of horn."

Q. Is it illegal for a pedestrian to enter the crosswalk when the "don't walk" light is flashing or when the "don't walk" light is on?

A. Bruchal said it is a clear violation of the law to begin to cross when the "don't walk" sign is steady. "If you're already within the crosswalk and it starts to flash, that's not a violation," he said.

Q. Will police ticket pedestrians who cross against the "don't walk" signal?

A. Bruchal said police will cite those who walk against the light and they can receive a $70 ticket.

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