Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: For those of us who live west of Pearl City, large trucks headed to and from the Waimanalo (Gulch) trash dump have been an ongoing problem. They usually drive in the left lane of the H-1 freeway and often do not seem to have any intention of passing anyone. Other times, in spite of the fact that their huge trucks are capable of crushing any three or four cars that would happen to be in their way in case of an accident, they speed up to 70 mph. I was infuriated by an especially egregious case of this one Saturday morning, when I was cut off by a city truck in the left lane of the H-1. He was going 70 mph and I watched in horror as he tailgated and weaved in and out of cars. I felt that this was the last straw. Isn't there any ordinance in our state that restricts or prohibits trucks using the left lane of a freeway, as there are in many eastern states? And what kind of training do city trash drivers receive regarding this matter? Keep an eye for speeding
trash trucks’ license platesAnswer: There is no restriction about garbage trucks staying out of the left lane, according to David Shiraishi, the city's refuse collection administrator.
The only time this would be a concern is when the trucks cannot keep up with or impede traffic, he said.
Shiraishi noted that since the "van cams" are no longer photographing speeders, "we see quite a bit of police monitoring" in the area, and all drivers face the possibility of being ticketed. City drivers are responsible for speeding tickets they may incur on the job, he said.
As for training, refuse truck drivers must have commercial driver's licenses, Shiraishi said.
The driver of the garbage truck you cited with a license number denied he was speeding, Shiraishi said. So it becomes his word against yours in the absence of a citation.
However, each complaint against a driver is recorded.
"We've had cases where, if a driver has several complaints, then (at a certain point), we will not accept denials," Shiraishi said. "We will take action."
In the future, if you or any other person witnesses speeding or reckless driving, Shiraishi asks that you fax the information to him at 550-6915. Or you can mail it to him at the Refuse Collection Division, Kapolei Hale, 1000 Uluohia St., Kapolei, HI 96707.
Q: When will the picnic tables be returned to Waialae Beach park in Kahala? All but two were removed for repair work around Aug. 15 and are missed by picnickers and families who enjoy the park for recreational use. I've tried to check this out with the Department of Parks & Recreation with no luck.
A: According to parks Director William Balfour, the concrete tables "were in vary bad condition, could not be repaired and were removed for the park users' safety."
Apparently, wooden tables were recently placed there as an interim accommodation.
During the time the concrete tables were removed, Balfour said the city Department of Design & Construction began a renovation project at the beach park, which included work on the comfort station.
That department plans a more substantial renovation project, to include work on the hau tree arbor. When that project is completed, the plan is to bring in six new "plastic lumber picnic tables," Balfour said.
However, the bad news is that there is no money yet budgeted for the second round of renovations, so it may be a while before those new tables are installed.
Auwe
Who runs the traffic lights for the city, especially on Vineyard and Dillingham? It's always stop and go, and traffic just backs up. I thought we spent millions of dollars a few years ago to have the system computerized. -- No Name
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