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Kokua Line
Question: I have a post office box with the U.S. Postal Service. Last year, my rate was $64. Now, it is $80. Why did they raise it $16 in one year? It's kind of a hefty jump. Postal Service raised
box fees to cover costsAnswer: The postal service restructured its post office box fees to reflect the reality of actual costs, according to spokeswoman Felice Broglio.
"In the past (the fees) were artificially subsidized," she said. Now, they have been adjusted to take into account real estate values, lease rents, etc., so the amount charged will vary according to where a box is located.
In fact, post office box fees were eliminated "several rate cases ago" in towns where there is no mail delivery. This is the case especially in small towns on the neighbor islands. At the opposite end of the scale, fees in Beverly Hills shot up. The fees were approved by the independent Postal Rate Commission.
All this is necessary, Broglio said, because the postal service, although it is a government agency, has been mandated by Congress to be self-supporting. It receives no tax dollars.
Broglio said that even though the hike may be hefty in terms of percentage increase, "it's still a fraction of the cost of what private companies charge." She also said that everyone gets free delivery at home and that a post office box is an option.
Q: The unimproved walkway on the side of Kamehameha Highway between Mokulele Drive and Kaneohe Elementary School was trenched to lay electrical wiring. Upon finishing, the contractor did a poor job of refilling and leveling the walkway, leaving deep ruts. Their solution was to lay netting over the uneven ground, which did not alleviate the situation. Many people walk that way for exercise or to get to Mokulele Drive or Hawaiian Memorial Park. Many schoolchildren must use that walkway, too, due to the proximity of the elementary school. My concern is someone getting hurt either by twisting an ankle or knee or, worse, getting hit by a car while walking one inch off the road to avoid the ruts.
A: The contractor for that project is required to regrade/re-compact the area to remove the ruts and prevent it from recurring, according to state highways engineer Tom Gabrielli.
But he noted that the area may not have been all that smooth to begin with because it is a grassy shoulder. He also said the matting was placed there to protect the area from erosion before new grass takes hold.
Mahalo
To the honest person who found my wallet in front of Times Liliha on Feb. 6 and promptly turned it in to the customer service desk. My wallet was found just minutes after I realized I had lost it. It's reassuring to know there are people like you out there. -- L.U.
Auwe
Why do I have to play Russian roulette every time I exit from the Esplanade condominium, 500 Lunalilo Home Road, in Hawaii Kai? It is most difficult to see oncoming vehicles traveling makai when exiting from the garage. This situation is further hindered by vehicles being allowed to park along the street all along the condominium's length. Do we have to sacrifice ourselves before remedial action is taken? Street parking has to be eliminated. -- No Name(Contact the city Department of Transportation Services, 523-4125, pointing out your safety concerns. You can work through your condominium association and neighborhood board to circulate a survey of affected residents about eliminating parking.)
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