Kokua Line
Kokua Line
We took some friends to Hanauma Bay. The parking lot was full, so they decided to walk down to beach. We went back a couple of hours later and were told we had to pay $1 just to pick them up. Why is there no provision for dropping up and picking up people like the tour operators do? Hanauma parking fee
has 15 minutes graceThere is a provision for pickup and drop-off: You get the $1 back if you leave within 15 minutes.
"We don't encourage people to drop off when the parking lot is full because that means we have more people than the bay can normally handle," explained Hanauma Bay recreation specialist Martha McDaniel.
The two biggest complaints among visitors are that there are too many people on the beach and not enough parking, she said.
"Our loading zone is past the place where people pay to park," she said. If people don't pay, "we don't have any way of checking if they find a free space and choose to stay.
"If they choose to stay, they've paid and there's no problem."
McDaniel also said there is no safe spot for drop-off and pickup outside of the parking area.
People sometimes drop off beach-goers "at the intersection where the tour buses are coming through, and we have had so many near-misses," she said. "Or someone wants to run to the restroom and says, 'Do I have to pay for parking?' Yes, please, it's safer. A dollar is not that much to spend for safety."
There's a dog that keeps barking at all hours, especially in the early morning, at the Edwin Thomas Home on Beretania Street, across from Kukui Plaza. Can you please help? Mental Help Hawaii runs its Safe Haven shelter for the mentally ill at the Edwin Thomas Home. But don't blame the residents or staff for the noisy dog, said office manager Joy Sutherland.
Because the dog's barking could also be heard in her building, Sutherland tracked down the source to an area behind a nearby restaurant.
She spoke to people related to the dog's owner and presented the problem. So the owner is aware of it, she said.
However, if the barking continues to be a problem, call the Hawaiian Humane Society at 946-2187, ext. 280. It handles animal nuisance complaints.
Can I renew my bus pass through the mail? Senior passes and disability passes both have to be renewed in person at TheBus offices, 811 Middle St. That's because photos have to be taken at the time of renewal.
However, you can request that applications be mailed to you first. For information, call 848-4444.
Is Hawaiian Air going to start up service to Kapalua and West Maui again? There are no plans to do so, according to Hawaiian Air spokesman Keoni Wagner.
To the couple in a pickup truck who assisted me in apprehending a shoplifting suspect from the Windward Mall on the evening of May 11, about 8:30 p.m. You pulled over on Alaloa Street, off Haiku Road, and let me hop into your truck bed. I really appreciated your consideration, and in all the confusion, I didn't have a chance to properly acknowledge this to you before you took off. -- E.W. Mahalo
To Punchbowl Cemetery. I was there to put flowers on my father's grave on Father's Day but had a hard time finding parking. I ended up parking a long distance away from his grave, which is just below the lookout, because people were allowed to come in just to view the Mighty Mo from the lookout that day. -- R.L. 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
