Kokua Line June Watanabe

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Local experts can't explain banana spots

Question: Within the past month, I've bought bananas from different stores. They all were green and looked really good, but then they turned black with spots before they were really ready to eat. What is causing this? This seems to be a common problem, because my friends have mentioned the same thing.

Answer: Inspectors with the state Department of Agriculture's Commodities Branch have not noticed any unusual problem with bananas, imported or locally grown, said spokeswoman Janelle Saneishi.

Neither have plant quarantine inspectors found any pests or diseases.

The department checked with a specialist at the University of Hawaii. All the experts agree: More information is needed to determine what the problem may be.

Saneishi said if you or others continue to have the problem, call the Commodities Branch at 832-0700.

Meanwhile, Eloise Killgore, a plant pathologist with the Department of Agriculture, suggested returning the spotted bananas.

"If the consumer does not point out problems, then the seller will not rectify the situation," she said. "And if everybody keeps on buying poor-quality fruits and vegetables, then we, as consumers, are the losers."

Q: A group of us walks in Palolo, and we noticed a car with yellow cards saying "Student Driver" where both the front and rear license plates should be. The license plate is in the rear window but at an angle that can't be seen. Is this legal? We thought license plates should be in the front and rear holders visible to other drivers and the "Student Driver" sign should be in the rear window. It doesn't seem that the owner of the vehicle ever puts the plates on the vehicle itself but instead misuses the "Student Driver" sign. What is the law pertaining to license plates and student driver signs?

A: Hawaii law requires that license plates be placed in the front and rear of each vehicle.

Specifically, Section 249-7 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes says: "The owner shall securely fasten the number plates on the vehicle, one on the front and the other on the rear, at a location provided by the manufacturer ..." cited Dennis Kamimura, administrator of the city Motor Vehicle & Licensing Division.

"The vehicle you are referring to would be subject to citation by the Honolulu Police Department," he said.

Regarding student driver signs, he said there are no laws specifying the location of such signs to his knowledge.

"However, such a sign should be placed at a location that does NOT obscure the visibility of the driver," Kamimura said.

He said he has seen "Student Driver" signs placed in the left side of the rear window, directly behind the driver.

Whether that is legal would be a matter for police to decide, he said.

Next time you see the vehicle, call police at 911, giving as much information about the vehicle and its location, a Honolulu Police Department spokesman said.