Kokua Line

By June Watanabe

Thursday, September 11, 1997

Handicapped sticker
renewal is for conformity

My handicapped parking sticker expires in December. When I called to ask what I needed to do to renew it, I was told I had to submit a new request and another certificate from my doctor. But my original certificate was marked "permanent disability." It seems like a lot of wasted time and paperwork. The lady at the office told me that Gov. Cayetano requires it. Is this true?

It's true only in the sense that Cayetano represents the state government and the state requires it -- at least for now.

The reason is to bring all the applications and certificates into conformity with a new system and criteria, mandated by the state, that took effect in September, 1996, said a supervisor for the city's Street Usage Section, which issues the handicapped parking permits.

Many things changed, he said, including the application form and the definition of who could certify a disability. Under the old law, "licensed practicing physician" was broadly defined, including chiropractors. That has since been narrowed to a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy.

But take heart. Once you get a new certification saying you have a permanent disability, you won't have to get another one -- barring another change in state law.

You would still have to renew your permit every four years, but would only have to fill out the top portion of the application form.

I've been seeing large black crickets, half inch to one inch in length, around my house. Where do they come from? How do I get rid of them and stop them from coming in my house?

You're referring to gryllus bimaculatus, or in layman's terms, the two-spotted cricket.

The insect, black with two yellow spots in the shoulder area, is an Old World species that's considered a minor pest in Africa, Southern Europe and parts of Asia, said Dick Tsuda, insect identification specialist at the University of Hawaii's Insect Diagnostic Clinic.

But it's not considered much of a pest here, although it usually feeds on the subterranean parts of plants.

The first crickets to Hawaii probably hitchhiked their way here aboard a boat. It was first spotted on Kauai in 1986, on Oahu in 1987 and on Maui in 1991. It's not yet been reported on the Big Island, Molokai or Lanai, Tsuda said.

They live mainly in the ground or under stones, are active at night and prefer high moisture areas. Natural predators would probably be birds or parasites attacking their eggs. Tsuda is reluctant to recommend a "blanket spray," suggesting a roach or earwig bait, being careful where you place them if you have pets.

Free organ (musical!)

My parents have a Baldwin organ that they would like to donate to a nonprofit group. It's in good condition, but needs to be retuned. (Call Kokua Line, 525-8686.)

More on park sprinklers

Responding to an "auwe" item that the city should wait til 1 a.m. instead of 11 p.m. to water its parks, acting parks director William Balfour Jr. thinks part of that idea is workable.

Starting in the early morning doesn't allow enough time to complete watering before dawn, particularly at larger parks, such as Ala Moana and Kapiolani, he said.

The parks are now irrigated in sections because of limited water pressure, requiring five to six hours to complete, he said.

But timers will be adjusted to 1 a.m. on holidays when park users stay later, he said.

Auwe

To UH football fans who insist on doing the wave when the Rainbows are on offense. All that noise can disrupt the signal-calling. The time to do the wave is when the Rainbows are on defense. Auwe also to UH cheerleaders who encourage the crowd to do the wave on offense. -- C.C.