|
Kokua Line
June Watanabe
|
Radio reception still a problem in H-3 tunnel
Question: Why do car radios no longer work in the Kaneohe-bound H-3 Harano Tunnel?
Answer: We had a complaint about the lack of radio reception within that tunnel last year and were told by the state Department of Transportation that inspectors couldn't find any problem with radio reception inside the Harano Tunnel, in either direction (Kokua Line, Nov. 3, 2005).
However, the Department of Transportation now concedes that there is a problem, although not in all vehicles.
Some adjustments were made in the Harano Tunnel, but factors in the radio reception problem "have been difficult to pinpoint precisely," said transportation spokesman Scott Ishikawa. "Clear signal reception appears to vary between newer and older car radios, as well as different brands of radios and cars, and the strength of each radio station's broadcasting signal."
All this makes testing difficult and is the likely reason why not every motorist has problems picking up radio signals in the Kaneohe-bound tunnel, Ishikawa said.
Last November, as part of the same complaint about the lack of radio reception in the Harano Tunnel, a reader asked when radio reception would be available again in the Wilson Tunnel on Likelike Highway.
Back then, we were told the repairs would be done "in coming weeks." That never happened.
Ishikawa said the Highways Division sought to repair the Wilson Tunnel radio system as part of the recent tunnel renovation project, but was unable to get the funding needed.
The Transportation Department now is seeking funds to repair the radio systems within both the Harano and Wilson tunnels. Rough repair estimates are $25,000 or more, Ishikawa said.
The funding request will be part of the department's fiscal year 2007 biennium budget, which begins July 1, he said.
IRS Refunds
Because April 15 fell on Saturday this year, taxpayers have two extra days -- until tomorrow -- to file their federal income tax returns.
Now, for many people, it's a waiting game for receiving refunds.
The Internal Revenue Service says taxpayers can find out the status of getting money back by going to "Where's My Refund" on its Web site, IRS.gov.
Just enter your Social Security number, filing status and the EXACT amount of the expected refund.
The IRS says this information is supposed to be known only to the taxpayer and IRS, so will securely verify a person is authorized to access an account.
You can check the status of a federal refund seven days after filing a federal income tax return online, or four to six weeks after mailing in a return.
If there is no refund check 28 days after the IRS says it mailed you one, you can initiate a trace online.
Meanwhile, taxpayers are reminded not to give out any personal, private information to anyone claiming to be the IRS in an e-mail, because the IRS does not send out unsolicited e-mails.
Got a question or complaint? Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210, Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered. E-mail to
kokualine@starbulletin.com.
See also: Useful phone numbers