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Kokua Line
June Watanabe
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Lusitana Street bus stops to be evaluated
Question: I often drive on Lusitana Street, where there are four bus stops in a two-block section, between Pauoa and School streets. The stops appear less than 100 feet apart, and the bus sometimes stops at all four stops, slowing traffic. Why so many in one section?
Answer: There might not be that many next year.
James Burke, chief of the city Public Transit Division, thanks you "for letting us know about the bus stop pacing on Lusitana Street."
The city's Bus Stop Realignment Project will evaluate Lusitana Street next year to see which stops can be eliminated, identifying ones located midblock, away from crosswalks or traffic signals, or those that might be too closely spaced.
Meanwhile, Kaimuki and Palolo Valley residents, be warned.
On Dec. 18, as part of the project to enhance safety and efficiency of service, the city will discontinue 13 bus stops along Waialae Avenue, between 4th Avenue and Hunakai Street; six stops along Palolo Avenue, between Waialae and the mauka entrance to Kauhana Street; five stops on 9th Avenue, between Waialae and Kiwila Street; and two stops on 10th Avenue, one opposite La-I Road and one opposite Makanui Place.
For more information, call the Department of Transportation Services at 768-8373 or e-mail thebusstop@honolulu.gov.
Q: Last year, I inquired about removing what appeared to be a little-used bus stop just past 1035 Prospect St. to free much-needed street parking for condo residents. Bus officials replied ("Kokua Line," Nov. 20, 2005) that the stop was used, but more parking would be made available once the curbs were painted red. Well, in September the curbs were painted red, and it seems we lost five parking spaces. What was the reasoning behind the excessive red painting? It makes no sense to everyone living in this area.
A: It took a while to get the answer, but it's good news -- partially -- for you.
James Burke, chief of the city Department of Transportation Service's Public Transit Division, apologized "for our oversight."
"We intended to provide the shortened bus stop as originally promised in 'Kokua Line,' but we did not change the dimensions listed in the traffic code," he said.
The result was that when the crew went to repaint the badly faded red curb, it used the original measurement for the stop, he said.
Since then the traffic code has been amended so that the bus stop area could be shortened, he said. That will allow for two more parking spaces.
Mahalo
To the young people along Kalanianaole Highway on the way to Kailua who had clever signs exhorting people to vote on election day. They weren't campaigning for anyone -- just encouraging us to exercise our precious right. A few weeks earlier, students along Dole Street at the University of Hawaii held signs that said, "No vote, no grumble!" It is so good to see young people getting involved. -- Anne & John Flanigan
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