Kokua Line June Watanabe

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Sidewalk goes unused by some

Question: I live on Ponohale Street in Waimalu Gardens where the H-1 freeway widening project is going on. With so many pedestrian fatalities and accidents happening, I almost was involved in one a recent Sunday morning. I was driving on Ponohale Street and making the detour under the freeway to get to Pono Street. I turned right and almost hit an elderly man walking in the middle of the detour road. I didn't see him before I turned because of the thick overgrown weeds on the fence bordering the construction area. I called the construction hot line, but it's been more than a week and nothing has been done. Can you help?

Answer: An inspector with the state Department of Transportation checked out the site.

The weeds will be killed, spokesman Scott Ishikawa said, but he pointed out the problem was that the man was in the middle of the road.

He provided a photo showing the Transportation Department had built a separate sidewalk, with enough space to walk, and with signs pointing to the walkway.

"This sidewalk has been accessible since the project began in June of last year," Ishikawa said.

Meanwhile, he said last week that the intersection of Ponohale and Pono streets is scheduled to reopen very shortly.

When that happens, the detour road will be closed, and the turn that you described "will not be an issue," he said.

Eventually, the temporary fence will be taken down as well.

Q: Regarding the Honolulu Centennial: Is there a calendar of events available somewhere? It seems there should be a list of coming events and an event at least once a month that the citizens of Honolulu could attend. There were some high-end events at hotels that are not affordable to everyone. What is the city planning?

A: We were told the easiest way to find out what's planned is to check the "Honolulu Pride" Web site, honolulupride.com.

There have been problems with accessing information, but the Web site vendor has been working to resolve the technical glitches, said Lynette Lo Tom, spokeswoman for the Honolulu 100 Centennial Commission.

Many of the events listed are regularly scheduled ones, such as Sunset on the Beach, community parades and the NFL Pro Bowl.

Lo Tom acknowledged that, noting there are not many "centennial signature events," such as Thursday's Honolulu Centennial Gala Celebration.

That event, at the Sheraton-Waikiki Hotel, will honor 100 people picked for having made "a lasting contribution to the City & County of Honolulu." Tickets start at $300.

Another centennial event, sponsored by the commission, might take place in March, Lo Tom said.

Dozens of "co-related events" -- not necessarily directly related to the centennial -- are also listed.

Information also will be provided via news releases, advertisements and some direct mailings.