We were in Coffee Talk on Waialae Avenue in September and saw three marked and unmarked police cars (with lights) parked in the red zone in front. If they were working that's different, but the officers were having coffee right next to us. Other citizens get tickets. Why are they able to get special treatment? Police are not supposed
to get special treatmentThey are not supposed to get special treatment.
"Corrective administrative action" was taken, based on your complaint and the license numbers you provided, said Lt. Abner DeLima, of HPD's Central Patrol District Seven.
"Officers are supposed to follow the same rules as everyone else, with the exception of emergencies," added HPD spokesman Brandon Stone.
The item about state employee parking in Alii Place brings up a sore point. Why are taxpayers subsidizing premium parking spaces when we are attempting to reduce traffic? A reserved parking space in Alii Place costs $265. A state employee pays $50 a month. Why not give them bus passes or a discount or, better yet, move state offices to Kapolei and minimize Honolulu's parking situation? Taxpayers are not subsidizing the parking, said Harold Sonomura, chief of the state's Automotive Management Division.
The state parking program is completely self-supporting, funded by fees collected, he said.
Permanent state employees can park in Alii Place based on seniority and if they need access to a vehicle for work.
The Alii Place parking set-up is unusual because the state, the city and private business all have part-interest in the garage. The shared arrangement was part of the development deal, Sonomura said.
All other facilities used by the state for parking are state-owned, he said.
There is a huge amount of rubbish as well as appliances that people have dumped on the bike path in the back of Pearl Kai Center. It's disheartening to see that area becoming a dumping ground. Can the Navy or city or whoever please clean it up? Your complaint was passed on to the city Department of Public Works's Pearl City yard for cleanup, said bike coordinator Chris Sayers.
The wooden bridge there, meanwhile, has been targeted for repairs, he said.
Your complaint about the appliances prompted Carol Costa, city director of information and complaint, to remind people that they don't have to resort to illegal dumping of big items.
Just call the bulky item number to arrange a pickup. The city is distributing leaflets in various languages to educate people about how to get rid of trash.
Auwe
To Hawaiian Telephone for having its AUW campaign on Oct. 1 in the lobby of their building. It was POOR practice to have it during the day with the public passing by, but NOT ALLOWED to buy food and crafts. Next time, have it in one of your big conference rooms or after hours if you don't want the public to contribute! -- 4 complaints(HawTel spokesman Calvin Tadaki said the employee-sponsored event was held when most employees could attend. The idea was to raise funds within the company, and Health Department regulations prohibited selling food to outsiders. The employee goal this year is to raise $300,000, Tadaki said.)
