Kokua Line
Kokua Line
We just received our automated trash container from the city. Because we come home from work after 6 p.m., our neighbor's car is parked in front of our home. His car is there until 7:30-8 a.m., when he goes to work. Trash container place
blocked? Let city helpWe were instructed to put the container five feet from any object. Please don't ask us to talk to our neighbor. His attitude will likely be first come, first served. Will refuse workers take our trash if it's in our driveway -- between our neighbor's car and our mailbox -- and not five feet away from either one? Also, if neighborhood kids purposely knock down these containers, will the workers "right-side" them and pick up the trash?
The easy answer first: Unless it's a constant and widespread problem, workers will pick up fallen containers, said David Shiraishi, the city's refuse collection administrator.
As for your neighbor's car, he advises you "to consult with us." Call the refuse base yard responsible for your district. (Look on Page 4 of the City and County listings in the Hawaiian Telephone directory, under "Refuse Collection.")
"Sometimes neighbors may not be aware of the parking ordinances," such as not parking within four feet of a driveway, Shiraishi said. "That being the case, we try to educate the person that's blocking there."
His office has brochures with diagrams explaining the ordinance.
"That's how we try to resolve those neighbor-to-neighbor situations," Shiraishi said.
Because of the number of residents who now have automated trash pickups -- it will soon be about 95,000 -- it's understandable that there are problems, he said. "But generally, we've been able to resolve the situations without having to resort to no-parking signs."
Last November, I wrote SingleSearch Hawaii, which advertised widely in both Honolulu daily newspapers. I sent in an application, along with a check for $95. The check was cashed in December. I heard nothing. In January, I sent a letter asking that my money be returned. I got no response nor was my letter ever returned. Is this company still in business? Can I get my money back?
We haven't been able to talk to the director, Lisa Mullinaux, although we have left messages on her voice-mail machine.
The state Office of Consumer Protection also has not been able to reach her to ascertain the status of the company, said Executive Director Jo Ann Uchida. Three complaints had already been filed with her office about SingleSearch. She suggested you do likewise (call 587-3222), if you "have had difficulty in getting contracts completed."
Auwe to the rude and inconsiderate woman in an older model Ford van and vanity plates, heading to Hawaii Kai about 3:30 p.m. Feb. 28. You threw saliva-saturated sunflower seed shells out your window and onto my car. I would've changed lanes to get out of your garbage trail if it wasn't so clogged. Carry a rubbish can in the car instead of spreading your opala on the road! -- Disgusted driver Auwe
How do you turn an "auwe" into a "mahalo?" Just return the wallet you find. Last November, I lamented the fact that my misplaced wallet had not been returned. I said it would be so easy to drop it into the mailbox and let the post office return it. The money is usually not significant, but other items may be impossible to replace. In March, I received a package from the post office which said "found loose in the mail." In there was my wallet, with credit cards, licenses, library card, Blood Bank card, everything important. My faith in the aloha spirit has been restored. -- Clark Edwards An auwe no more
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com
