Kokua Line June Watanabe

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Pesticide limited in use at schools

Question: What is the Department of Education's policy regarding the use of herbicide and pesticide on school grounds? I called a few different numbers with the Department of Education and talked with vector control at the state Department of Health, and no one had any kind of detail. Does each school make its own determination as far as what can be used? Is there a definitive policy regarding children's exposure to pesticides and herbicides?

Answer: The Department of Education has a general policy covering all schools, in which herbicides and pesticides are "minimally" used.

"They are not disallowed, but are used only as a last resort and under limited conditions," said spokesman Greg Knudsen. "Groundskeepers are instructed to not use herbicides or pesticides around students. If they are used, it should be after hours and not during windy conditions."

He also noted that the department also has safety guidelines relating to the labeling, handling and storage of any hazardous materials, and specific hazard communication procedures in case of accidents.

Q: Is there a requirement that whenever a new house is built they have to provide parking?

A: The general rule is that two parking spaces are required for a single-family home. There is no restriction on the number of cars that a family or tenant can own while residing in that home.

Call the city Housing Code section at 527-6308 for more information.

Warning: Remove parking placard In the March 29 "Kokua Line," a reader complained about people driving with their disabled-parking placards hanging from their rearview mirrors (which is illegal), saying, "There should be a warning placed on the placard against driving with the placard displayed on the mirror." We thank another reader, Peter J. Swanson, for informing us, "There is. People just ignore it." He e-mailed photos of the placard, on which it clearly says, "Remove from mirror before driving vehicle."

Mahalo

To Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Warren Aki and firefighters Jarin Wong, Ernesto Ducusin and James Acopan of the Makiki Fire Station, who responded to a call for help at the Rose Terrace Condominium at 1687 Pensacola St. on March 24.

Heavy rains caused a failure of the drainage canal on the side of the building. This sent tons of water, rocks and mud flowing into the first-floor parking area, as well as to the neighboring Hale Nani Rehabilitation & Nursing Center basement.

While they could not repair the break in the canal, Capt. Aki and his crew stayed on the scene and assisted with cleanup operations late into the night. This was the first time in my life that I had to make a call to 911 for assistance from the Honolulu Fire Department. When seconds count, you can count on firefighters. -- Sheldon R. Ching, AOAO Rose Terrace president