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Kokua Line
Question: What is the vision requirement for passing the driver's license test? Does having only one good eye flunk a driver? Only one eye?
You can still
drive ... maybeAnswer: It doesn't necessarily "flunk" you, but having vision only in one eye would initially disqualify you from getting a license.
The state Department of Transportation's administrative rules (19-5-122) sets forth a vision standard, explained David Mau, city assistant administrator for motor vehicle and licensing.
If an applicant has vision in one eye only, the case will be reviewed by the state Medical Advisory Board.
"If any of the driver's license applicants don't meet the physical standards set forth in the Hawaii Administrative Rules, we will ask for a physician's report and send that to the Medical Advisory Board," Mau said.
The report does not reveal any applicant's name.
After a review, the board will advise the licensing division as to whether or not the applicant should be allowed to drive and, if so, if there are any restrictions, Mau said.
Q: I don't agree with the answer given recently about the wiliwili tree at Queen's Medical Center. I was on Punchbowl Street and was absolutely shocked to see that they had cut this tree down, leaving a little stump. I still see that stump. Am I mistaken? Is this not the wiliwili tree?
A: You apparently are mistaken and may be surprised at actually how much thought went into protecting trees at the site.
According to landscape architect Michael Miyabara, there never was a wiliwili tree on the site, said David E. Kerr, a consultant to Queen's on the construction project.
Miyabara also met with the Outdoor Circle, whose representative approved the complete landscape removal plan, he said.
Kerr said two trees along Punchbowl were cut down and removed, but only after "every effort" was made to identify them. You may be referring to a "seed tree," one of two trees that had been targeted for removal and weren't "scheduled for saving by any agency," he said.
Queen's "acted very responsibly with respect to the landscape plan and the saving of valuable trees," Kerr said. "The landscape removal plans were reviewed by every city agency, including the city's botanical garden."
Kerr noted that two valuable Loululu, or fan, palms were donated to the botanical garden; two large monkeypod trees went to the city's new soccer complex in Waipahu (trimmed and moved at a cost of more than $15,000 to Queen's); and seven trees were moved temporarily to a tree farm in Waimanalo. Those trees will be moved back once construction is completed, Kerr said.
Mahalo
To the man who helped move my stalled car from Kamehameha Highway to Waipahu Street. Everybody was just zooming by because it was rush hour, but he immediately stopped to help push my car to the side so it wouldn't obstruct traffic. I didn't get his name but, even though this happened several weeks ago, I haven't forgotten how he was willing to help. He showed me the spirit of aloha. -- Gil
Auwe
To people who dump their bulky items across from Manoa Elementary School cafeteria. A whole bunch of furniture has been piling up high. All they need to do is to call the city refuse department, which will tell them when bulky items will be picked up. Please don't dump those items near the school! -- No name
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