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Can someone explain to me why, after almost three months of water-saving measures, including two of three people here taking "Navy" showers, using saved rain water for plants and gardening, less flushing, etc., that we only saved $1.63 on our bill? Am I missing something here? Checking home for leaks
best water-saving methodOne explanation is a possible water leak, said Brooks Yuen, acting manager of the Board of Water Supply.
Leaks in toilets, plumbing and other fixtures can account for up to one-third of your water bill, he said. Call 527-6148 so someone can check your home.
Generally, Yuen said the biggest savings would have come from cutting back on lawn or garden watering, if that was extensive.
While taking shorter showers does save water, Yuen noted that the biggest water user in the home is the toilet. "Every flush uses from 1.6 to 5 gallons," he said. Multiply that by the number of times each person flushes daily, then by the number of people in the home -- "This can add up to a significant amount of water used," Yuen said.
The $1.63 you saved translates to saving about 1,000 gallons of water over the two-month billing period.
You'll see "real savings" if you continue to do several things, Yuen said, including, "checking for and repairing leaks, having a water-efficient landscape, installing water-conserving toilets and other water fixtures and washing only full loads of laundry or dishes."
A few weeks ago, two coaches in the Ewa Little League fought during a game, and we thought action would be taken. But they were allowed to play subsequent games. We also have concerns about intimidation. We want to put our children in a different league but are restricted by rules. What can be done?
The coaches involved were reprimanded for fighting, said a board member for the Ewa Little League. "In fact, it was a minor who instigated the violence, and he was reprimanded."
The board has "done what we felt was necessary," he said, but "it's an incident that won't go away."
If you have concerns, he said to contact a board member -- the names and numbers are available through your team. If you are still not satisfied, contact the District 8 administrator who oversees the four active leagues in Makakilo, Nanakuli, Barbers Point and Ewa.
In Hawaii, there are six Little League districts. Each league within each district has a separate board. However, every league is governed by international rules. Players have to play in the area they live in, with very few exceptions.
"The only time we hear about us (is) when there's something wrong," the Ewa board member said, in responding to your complaint. "I wish people would remember all the good that we've done for the community."
Auwe
To a police officer who stopped two female bikers near Sunset Beach Christian School.He said he would issue them a citation unless they rode their bikes on the bike path.
He was wrong and should be more informed about Hawaii's bike laws, which state that as long as bikers are not impeding traffic and are staying as far to the right as possible, they have the option to be on the road instead of the bike path. These girls were on triathlon-style bikes, which are very fast, not the style for a multiuse bike path. It would seem there are bigger problems to solve than hassling bikers. -- C.G.
(The officer "confused" a bike lane with a bike path, a police spokeswoman said. Bikers must use bike lanes if they are on roadways that have them, such as on Kalanianaole Highway, she said. "The use of bike paths, which are off the roadway, are optional." She said the officer was counseled.)
Correction: Ierroneously ran Thursday's Kokua Line here on Wednesday.
Click here to see Thursday's Kokua Line.
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