Kokua Line
Kokua Line
I bought a carton of so-called "fresh" skim milk. But the ingredients included powdered skim milk. Is there any requirement as to how much powdered milk is allowed in "fresh milk?" If a large percentage of powdered milk is allowed, I may as well just buy powdered milk. Nonfat dry milk can
be added to fresh milkNonfat dry milk may be added "to adjust the solid nonfat content" of fresh milk, said Maurice Tamura, the state's food and drug branch chief.
Under state and federal regulations, skim milk must have at least 8.25 percent nonfat milk solids.
"Milk, as it comes out of the cow, has about 3.25 to 4 percent milk fat," Tamura explained. "In addition, it has about 8.25 or more nonfat milk solids."
Sometimes, it may not have that minimum level and "that's when it's adjusted," he said. Also, some companies may want a higher percentage of nonfat milk solids, e.g., 8.5 percent, Tamura said. So, "they also may adjust it up."
Milk producers do not have to specify on the label the percentage of powdered milk added, he said.
In the back of Manoa there's a big bare spot that looks like it's carved out of the mountain. It's in the area of the infamous Pao's Cut back in the sixties. Won't there be a problem with erosion?
It may look like there's no vegetation, but a city Building Department inspector says the property owner just trimmed everything as low as possible, including cutting trees down to stumps.
The problem was, because the hill behind the house is so steep, tree branches would fall on the house, the inspector said. There should be no problem with erosion, he said, and the owner is considering replanting the area with something else.
A nearby neighbor is considering doing the same kind of clearing behind his house.
"As long as it was within their property limits (as in this case), it's fine," the inspector said.
It would be a different matter if "site clearing and grubbing" were involved. Grubbing means removing everything, including roots. That would indicate preparation for some kind of construction, in which case a grading permit probably would have been required.
I was walking around the First Hawaiian Bank downtown when it was raining recently and noticed some metal grilling that goes around the building. I touched it to see if there was any traction and found it was slippery as ice. Can something be done?
The grilling is part of the bank property and not on the public sidewalk, according to the city Building Department.
But when a department inspector and the bank's building manager went to check on your complaint, during a downpour, they found "it wasn't unduly slippery," said James Wayman, the bank's senior vice president of bank properties. Not knowing the situation, he speculated that perhaps the soles of your shoes may have been the problem.
But the bank would be happy to meet with you to "recreate the problem (you) had to determine whether something needs to be done," Wayman said.
To the people responsible for the junk lining Puowaina and other streets going up to the Punchbowl cemetery. It's disgraceful, especially with all the visitors going past there to the cemetery. -- N.L. Auwe
To the owner of a blue Pontiac who blocked my path and my neighbor's spot in the Lilipuna complex, plus obstructed the ramped parking area. Family ties do not entitle you to special privileges. You were illegally parked and you have the audacity to leave a note calling me a cow. Here's to you: Moo!!! -- Irate Tenant Auwe
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
