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Kokua Line
June Watanabe
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Christmas card donations still being accepted
Question: Where can I drop off used Christmas cards? I tried calling Merlinda Oania at the number you listed, but it doesn't work. Is there anyone else who wants them?
Answer: For now the best way to reach Oania is at Waipahu Intermediate School, where she teaches English as a second language. Call 675-0177, ext. 305.
The Oct. 15 earthquakes damaged telephone lines at her home, and they haven't yet been repaired.
You can drop off or mail cards to Waipahu Intermediate School, 94-455 Farrington Highway, Waipahu, HI 96797; or to her home, 98-596 Kaimu Loop, Aiea, HI 96701.
Oania received a "tremendous" number of cards after we wrote about how she and her students use them to create alphabet picture books for children ("Kokua Line," Jan. 8, 2006).
"The response was so great that I ran out of room. I don't know where to store them anymore," Oania said.
She thanked readers for the response and says she's still willing to accept more cards "because I don't want to run out of cards, like two Christmases ago."
With the bounty received last year, her students were able to create 43 picture books that were distributed last Christmas at Ronald McDonald House and Salvation Army preschools.
Oania said she wants again to give books this year to children at Shriners Hospital.
Q: Why doesn't the city respond to written letters and telephone calls from property owners in Kapaloaha Place, Pauoa Valley? A letter has been signed by about 80 percent of property owners, who are opposed to having an improvement district project to widen this road. We have asked that the project be deleted, but since the May 8 letter was sent to the city, there has been absolutely no response. Telephone calls have elicited responses such as, "Oh, someone will call you back," "Oh, we're still working on it" or, "It has been forwarded to appropriate city departments for review and comment." It is now January and no response has been received.
A: The short answer is that for now the road widening setback will remain on city maps.
The Department of Planning and Permitting did research the matter, said Director Henry Eng.
In response to several inquiries made through Councilman Rod Tam, the department did provide background information and the status of the designation in November and December, he said.
"Basically, the road widening setback is to allow for roadway improvements which will be needed over time," Eng said. "The deletion of the road widening could adversely affect the developability of underused properties in the area."
He also said that information obtained by staff "indicates that some houses have been built and have respected the setback."
Tam's office was provided with information on how residents may petition for the elimination of the road widening setback, Eng said.
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