Regarding noisy vehicles: State law says that you will not modify your car exhaust. Why don't police enforce that law? There's no problem identifying violators, but police will not ticket them and safety inspections don't get them. Expired safety stickers
eventually discovered
I notice a lot of cars with expired safety stickers. Why should I pay every year to get a safety check if these people don't have to? (Two complaints on this)The answer to both questions, from HPD spokesman Brandon Stone, is that police do give citations, but they rely on safety inspections and car registrations to also keep motorists on the legal path.
As for safety checks, "A problem arose a few years ago, when (car) owners were no longer sent renewal notices," he said. "That probably increased the percentage of people who plain forgot."
Since you can't register your car without a safety check, "there are some safeguards in the system to ensure whether we get them on the streets through a citation and warning or through registration."
Stone said police will issue citations for unregistered vehicles, which is considered "serious," because the owner may not have no-fault insurance as well.
Regarding mufflers, the hope is to catch problems during the safety checks, Stone said.
"We're very concerned, not only about the noise problem, but about the safety problem, because a muffler that's broken can cause carbon monoxide problems for people in the vehicle," he said.
He insists police will stop motorists when they notice a violation. But if you have a specific complaint, let police know, either with a license number or the name of a chronic offender.
I got a call from a guy saying that my subscription to U.S. News & World Report was expiring and if I wanted to resubscribe. He then asked me for my credit card number. I almost fell for it. Is there a scam going on? A spokeswoman for U.S. News & World Report in Washington, D.C., said a telemarketer has been using the magazine as a lure in getting credit card numbers.
The caller usually tries to sell subscriptions for a package of three to five magazines "and we're included. But we're not authorizing that," said customer fulfillment official Paulette Foster.
However, she said the magazine will honor the subscription "if the person has paid. But we're just hoping people will step back and say, 'Hey, we're not giving our credit card number over the phone,' because that's not a practice of U.S. News."
If you have any questions, call 1-800-234-2450.
In April, the Waikiki Residents Association objected to work at three bus stops on Kuhio Avenue because the city failed to give the community a chance for review. That's why the project was held up, said Robert Rodman, chairman of the group's parks and beautification committee. Update: Kuhio bus stops
He disputed statements from Ben Lee, the mayor's chief of staff, that construction was halted and plans redone because extra funds were found in this year's budget.
In a meeting with Doug Aton, executive director of the city's Office of Waikiki Development, the group's board objected to plans for Plexiglas shelters because they did not convey a "Hawaiian sense of place," and also because there were no plans for benches or trees, Rodman said.
Aton said Lee and Rodman were "both correct."
However, based on resident concerns, "we did revise some aspects of the plan," Aton said, although the shelters will remain Plexiglas.
The Plexiglas will make for a cooler setting, will allow landscaping to "come through" and could be etched with designs, he said.
Work is not expected to be completed until early next year.
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