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Kokua Line
June Watanabe
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Waialae bike facility to open soon
Question: Kapiolani Community College built a restroom on Diamond Head Road several months ago, and it has never been opened. Why did we build this thing if it's not going to be used?
Q: There is a restroom building at Kapiolani Community College near Fort Ruger. Who is building it and why? When will it be opened?
Answer: It's actually more a comfort station and despite appearances, it wasn't ready to be opened.
However, the Waialae Kahala Bicycle Staging Area, which includes a comfort station, is set to be dedicated and opened to the public next Wednesday.
The $699,200 Waialae Kahala Vision Team project was developed by the previous city administration and "built at the request of the bicycling community," said Mark Matsunaga, spokesman for Mayor Mufi Hannemann's administration.
The project was designed as "a prototype," but "this administration doesn't envision any more" such facilities, he said.
The project originally included showers and lockers for bikers that subsequently were eliminated.
However, there are bicycle racks, a "fitness court" with exercise stations, outdoor tables and benches, a water fountain and landscaping, in addition to restrooms.
The "notice to proceed" on the project was given in November 2004, but it's been delayed because of numerous change orders and logistical obstacles, Matsunaga said.
Although it is a city project, it was built on land belonging to Kapiolani Community College.
The University of Hawaii Board of Regents approved the project in 2003. A news release at the time said the staging area "is intended to be a community facility providing neighborhood support for people engaging in bicycling activities.
It will service bicyclists of all skill levels, including competitive cyclists and recreational users."
The city will maintain the facility, but the school will be responsible for opening and closing it, Matsunaga said. The comfort station will not be open 24 hours a day because of problems with vandalism.
Matsunaga also said yesterday that the project may look completed, but workers "are putting finishing touches on it."
State IDs
State ID personnel will be processing applications for state ID cards at Kahuku High School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
It will be their first time at that location.
The fee is $10 for applicants 65 years and older, and $15 for others, cash only.
Applicants need to have required documents or they will not be processed.
Find out what's required by calling 587-3111 or on the Web at www.stateid.hawaii.gov, where application forms can be downloaded. If you still have questions, call 587-3112.
Approved ID cards will be mailed within five to 10 working days.
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