Kokua Line
Kokua Line
How can we get double solid lines painted on Meheula Parkway for traffic turning left (on a green arrow) from Kuahelani Avenue going mauka on Meheula? It is hard for us to turn right onto Meheula from Kuahelani, even after we come to a complete stop before turning, because many or most of the drivers making a left turn are coming all the way over to the far right lane instead of staying in the far left lane. There are actually three lanes, and left-turning drivers are cutting us off. It's impossible for those of us turning right to get a green light. It's very frustrating, especially in the peak morning traffic. Help! Meheula drivers
need a safe right turnWe passed on your complaint to the city Department of Transportation Services.
Kokua Line receives a lot of queries regarding traffic patterns, lights, signs, etc. We pass most of them on to the appropriate city or state agency.
This is a good occasion to let readers know how they can do this directly.
For city roadways, send concerns to Cheryl D. Soon, director, Department of Transportation Services, 711 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 1200, Honolulu 96813.
For state freeways and highways (such as the H-1, H-2, H-3, Pali, Likelike, Kamehameha, Kalanianaole, Farrington, Nimitz, Kahekili, Fort Weaver, Kunia and Moanalua), address concerns to Kazu Hayashida, director, State Department of Transportation, 869 Punchbowl St., Honolulu 96813.
Soon said letters should be specific, describing the problem, frequency, time of day, diagrams, weather, lighting conditions and any other relevant information. Include a name, address and telephone number in case more information is needed.
Requests are assigned to the appropriate division within the department for investigation and response, she said. Factors in determining whether a change is made include public safety, the opinion of nearby residents, the position of the neighborhood board, the cost to implement a solution and the compatibility of the solution to city policy.
For emergencies, however, such as a downed stop sign or malfunctioning traffic signal, call Signs and Markings, 523-4029, or Street Light Maintenance, 523-4281. After regular work hours, report malfunctioning lights by calling 911.
To the person with a personalized automobile license plate carrying a Yiddish word that many people would find objectionable. Does he think he's the only one who knows what the word means? Auwe
(City motor vehicle licensing administrator Dennis Kamimura was surprised to hear what the literal translation of the word is. It has a more general meaning of "jerk."
However, when he contacted the registered car owner, the owner did not contest your complaint and applied for a new license plate, Kamimura said.
In general, the motor vehicle licensing staff informally screens requests for personalized plates for obscene or "publicly objectionable" words. By passing through the hands of several people, "the majority of possibly objectionable or obscene plates would be caught," Kamimura said.
He surmised that this particular plate went through because, culturally, most Hawaii residents are not familiar with Yiddish words.
If someone complains about a license plate, the owner would be notified.
If the owner wants to keep the plate, Kamimura would seek expert advice, such as from the University of Hawaii, or in this case, from colleagues on the East Coast, who would be more familiar with Yiddish, before deciding what action to take.
If you find a plate objectionable, write to Kamimura at P.O. Box 30300, Honolulu 96820-0300, and he will at least make an evaluation.)
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
