Question: How much is the fine for a person riding unbuckled in the back seat of a car?

Answer: Although it’s been reported as being $92, the "monetary assessment" for not buckling up in either the front or back seat of a motor vehicle is $102, according to the Honolulu Police Department’s Traffic Division.

The actual fine is only $45.

The total $102 assessment is set by the Hawaii State Judiciary’s Traffic Violations Bureau, said HPD spokeswoman Michelle Yu.

On its website the Judiciary says most traffic violations, including seat belt violations, are civil infractions in which penalties do not include imprisonment.

Instead, penalties involve monetary assessments (fines, costs, fees and surcharges), community service and/or mandatory attendance at a class or other program. (See bit.ly/1bHQjQE.)

Here’s the breakdown provided by HPD of the assessment for seat belt violations: fine: $45; driver education assessment: $7; neurotrauma surcharge: $10; Department of Transportation Safe Route to School fee: $10; administrative fee: $30.

Under Section 291-11.5 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, having children under the age of 8 not in a child restraint seat or buckled in (depending on size and age) is a violation punishable by fines ranging from $100 to $500.

Mililani Center

Reynolds Recycling was asked to vacate its leased spot at the Town Center of Mililani because it was taking up "considerable customer parking" from retail tenants in the back lot, as well as from new tenant Popeyes Chicken, said Christine O’Rourke, marketing director for the center.

We contacted the center after a reader asked why Reynolds was forced shut down Thursday after more than 25 years (see bit.ly/1zvQHgz).

"They were creating what we felt was an unsafe environment" with lots of foot traffic and several blind spots in the parking lot, O’Rourke told us in a phone interview from Chicago, where she is based with M&J Wilkow, one of the center’s new owners.

Reynolds was asked to leave "in order to improve the center and for our full-time tenants."

O’Rourke explained that Reynolds was considered a "pop-up tenant," not a permanent tenant, despite its years at the center.

The success of permanent tenants depends not only on the quality of their products, but also convenience for access, she said. "Our goal is to improve the center."

After purchasing the Town Center in December, the new owners have "extensive plans," already in motion, to update the property both functionally and aesthetically, she said.

A major roof repair already is underway, with new lighting for the parking lot to be installed shortly, she said.

May ‘Going Green’

Two "Going Green" one-stop, drop-off recycling events are scheduled for May: 8 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Ala Wai Boat Harbor, 1651 Ala Moana Blvd., sponsored by Project C.L.E.A.N., and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 30, at Honowai Elementary School, 94-600 Honowai St., Waipahu, sponsored by Honowai teachers.

Items accepted: scrap metal; bikes; appliances; three each of propane tanks, fire extinguishers and heat pumps; unlimited number of computers, monitors, printers and scanners; one TV per car; used household cooking oil; cellphones; ink cartridges; personal digital assistants; all kinds of batteries; usable clothing; used eyeglasses and hearing aids for Hawaii Lions Clubs; incandescent light bulbs exchanged for CFLs, four maximum per car; prom dresses/accessories for Bella Project; women’s business suits/accessories for Dress for Success; canned goods for Hawaii Foodbank; pet food, towels, blankets for Poi Dogs and Popoki; and HI-5 containers.

For free towing of unwanted cars or information, call 291-6151.

Items not accepted: tires, paint, microwave ovens, motor oil, cardboard, paper, plastic, wood, bulky items and hazardous fluids.

Write to "Kokua Line" at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.