I called the Building Department about a house that is collapsing on the Pali Highway, but there are still people living in it. This house is going to fall down. What can be done? Old house on the Pali
not long for this worldThe city Building Department issued a notice of violation to the owners in June 1997.
Back then, the owners were told they had to demolish the playroom and do some repairs to other parts of the house, said William Deering, head of the department's housing code section.
The owners did not comply within a specified time, but asked for an extension, which was granted until the end of March 1998. "At that time, they will demolish the whole thing," Deering said.
In the meantime, the dilapidated playroom, which is situated away from the main portion of the house, has been secured and the owners are allowed to occupy other sections, he said.
We believe there is an illegal hotel operating in our residential neighborhood. What channels do I need to go through to report this?
Call William Deering, chief of the city Building Department's housing code section, at 527-6308.
His inspectors will determine if there is any illegal activity going on, and depending on what is found, refer it to the proper agency.
Is it acceptable to cover the Social Security number on your drivers license with tape?
There's no law that says you cannot cover the number, unlike your license plate number, which has to be unobscured, said Dennis Kamimura, city motor vehicle licensing administrator.
By law, the only person you have to show your license number to is a police officer, upon request. So if you're concerned about revealing your Social Security number whenever someone asks for identification, especially for cashing checks, you might consider getting another form of identification.
The state Legislature is considering a law to do away with Social Security numbers as the identification number on drivers licenses.
There is a car in the 1800 block of Keeaumoku Street that has been there since September. It continues to take up valuable space on the street. The city puts an abandoned vehicle notice on it, but it's taken off and nothing happens. Why can't they get the owner for expired safety stickers or registration?
You keep calling about this car and here's the answer, again: If the car is moved or tended to in any way, it cannot be deemed abandoned and the city will not have it towed away, said Dennis Kamimura, city motor vehicle licensing administrator.
"The courts have ruled if they (the owners) take off the notice, then the car is not 'abandoned,'" he said.
If the car is not registered or if its safety sticker has expired, you should call police, who can issue a citation.
"But insofar as towing (such) a vehicle, no," Kamimura said.
Auwe
To three service stations in Kailua. Late Christmas Eve, our 3-year-old needed to go to the restroom. The three stations turned us away even with our daughter crying. Needless to say, we were angry and hurt that no one would open their hearts or doors for our daughter. We ended up pulling over on the side of the road. So much for people remembering the spirit of Christmas. -- Jamie Natividad
