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Kokua Line
June Watanabe
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Kalihi won't get new recycling site
Question: Is there any way to get a recycling center put back in our area? We used to have one in lower Kalihi. We live in the area where Foodland Super Market used to be, but now they sell hotel furniture. We have two places where they could put recycling -- an empty lot where the Handi-Vans used to be and another area near First Hawaiian Bank, where the building is no longer being used. We would like to recycle, but have no way to get our containers to recycle because we have no car. It was easy before, because all we had to do was walk over, but now we can't, so we don't.
Answer: Unfortunately, there are no immediate plans or proposals for additional recycling redemption centers in the Kalihi area.
Currently, the nearest options for you are RRR Recycling, at 693 N. King St. (corner of North King and Akepo Lane), open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Sunday; and Island Recycling, at 1803 Dillingham Blvd., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
As an incentive to encourage more reverse vending machine and certified redemption center locations, the state Department of Health is offering up to $3 million in rebates to vendors, said spokeswoman Janice Okubo.
The rebate is for 50 percent reimbursement of the actual cost of each reverse vending machine, including shipping and state general excise tax. To qualify, the reverse vending machine must operate at a certified redemption center by Dec. 31, 2007.
"We're hoping that businesses take advantage of the rebate program ... so that consumers can have more access to redemption opportunities," Okubo said.
For a list of certified redemption center locations, check www.hi5deposit.com. Or call the Department of Health at 586-4226.
Q: Is there rule or a law regarding putting a trash can in the street to keep people from parking? A house in our neighborhood has had a city trash can in the street for two months to prevent people from parking.
A: According to the city Refuse Division, any rubbish container, including automated collection carts, should be returned to the resident's property after they have been emptied.
Only authorized elderly or disabled people with automated collection carts are allowed to permanently store them in the public right-of-way.
You are advised to report the matter to the nearest collection yard.
"We will ask the police for assistance if the householder does not cooperate with us," said David Shiraishi, the city's refuse collection administrator.
The collection yards are: Honolulu (Salt Lake to Hawaii Kai), 832-7840; Kapaa (Kailua, Kaneohe, Waimanalo), 262-7298; Koolauloa (Kahuku to Kahaluu), 293-5657; Pearl City (Pearl City, Waipahu, Halawa to Makakilo, Kapolei), 455-9644; Wahiawa (Wahiawa, Kunia, Mililani, Waipio), 621-5241; Waialua (Waialua, Haleiwa, Sunset), 637-4795; and Waianae (Makaha to Honokai Hale), 697-1178.
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