Kokua Line

By June Watanabe

Friday, January 16, 1998

Handicapped parking
off-limits to taxis

At 3:30 p.m. Dec. 26, I saw three taxis parked in the handicapped stalls of the Varsity Theatre. None moved when I showed my handicapped parking pass, although one finally did when I honked my horn. I believe it is against federal law for handicapped stalls to be used as a de facto cab stand. Will this be happening again?

It should not happen again, but if it does, call Brandon Endo, area manager for Propark, which manages the lot, at 971-7755.

Endo said he had one previous complaint about cabbies using the handicapped stalls and talked to them then about the problem.

Based on your complaint, he planned to send the cab company a letter, "stating that if they abuse their parking privileges regarding the handicapped stalls, I will terminate their contract."

This is a complaint about two families who don't clean up after their New Year's fireworks.

They did this last year also. Is there a law about littering and not cleaning up?

The city can order property owners to clean up abutting sidewalks or their own property, said William Deering, chief of the Building Department's Housing Code section. Call 527-6308.

But if the debris is on the road, the city Public Works Department will clean the streets. Look under Public Works, Road Maintenance, in the telephone directory for the corporation yard in your district.

Can you please find out when the next batch of Year of the Tiger stamps will be out and where we're supposed to send for first-day cancellation?

There is no next batch, since there's plenty - 51 million were issued - of the first around, said Postal Service spokeswoman Felice Broglio.

Customers have 30 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. The stamps, designed by local graphic artist Clarence Lee, were issued Jan. 5 in Seattle.

Affix the stamps to envelopes of your choice, address the envelopes accordingly and put them in a larger envelope.

Send to: Lunar New Year Stamp, Postmaster, 415 First Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98109-999.

They must be postmarked by Feb. 4. There is no charge.

Auwe

To the group of ladies passing out Portuguese sausage at Waipahu Elementary School before Christmas. I bought a ticket for $5.25 from a lady who came to my door in Ewa Beach, but they refused to give me my sausage, because they said the lady didn't turn in the money. It wasn't my fault. I think they should collect the money from her. What they did was very unprofessional.

(We're sorry for the confusion," said Waipahu Elementary Principal Mamo Carreira. The fund-raiser was held by the PTSA. "We really appreciate the support the families, parents and community gives the PTSA so they can fund activities for the school," she said.

(Call the school at 675-0150. The PTSA will honor your ticket with a product or a refund, Carreira said. About three people were similarly affected and two have already called in, she said.)

Auwe

To a woman at an information booth at Honolulu Airport. When I asked for information, she said, "How should I know." When she finally gave me some information, I couldn't hear it, so I repeated it and she said, "I didn't say THAT, I said THIS!" If she doesn't want her job, someone else would.

(Send your complaint to Richard Okada, administrator, Visitor Information Program, 300 Rodgers Blvd. No. 4, Honolulu Airport, Honolulu 96819. You will get a reply.)

Uncle Larry/Aunty Lorraine

You mistakenly left a Christmas card with a gift inside for Stan in my mailbox. (Call Kokua Line, 525-8686.)