Kokua Line June Watanabe

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City pothole repair hot line 'a little behind'

Question: For two months, I've left numerous messages with the city pothole hot line, pothole report Web site and director's office. To this date the potholes are not filled in. Why is it taking so long? The potholes are at 627 6th Ave. and at Winam Avenue/Hoolulu Street.

Answer: The potholes were patched on Jan. 31, we were informed yesterday.

Pothole patching has fallen "a little behind" because of other cleanup relating to recent high-wind damage, stream cleaning, etc., said Larry Leopardi, chief of the city Division of Road Maintenance.

"We are doing our best to catch up," he said.

It generally takes two days to one week to respond to a reported pothole, but the time frame will vary depending on the number, size and location of the pothole, as well as other job priorities the division is responsible for (such as stream cleaning), Leopardi explained.

Storms, inclement weather and other unexpected circumstances obviously will delay the patching.

"All of the potholes within an area are patched sequentially (including those not reported) so as not to be hopscotching around from location to location, which is inefficient and unproductive," Leopardi said.

The best way to report a pothole is online at www.co.honolulu.hi.us/csd/pothole.htm or by calling the new hot line (as of Feb. 1): 768-7777.

Meanwhile, Leopardi provided figures showing 68,586 potholes on city streets were patched in 2006, broken down into districts: 48,331, Honolulu; 4,126, Ewa; 753, Waianae; 834, Wahiawa; 863, Waialua; 786, Laie; 7,966, Kaneohe; and 4,927; Kailua.

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Q: Bicyclists are using sidewalks and speeding! I fear for seniors who might be run over, especially when you consider that many have hearing loss. What is the law about usage of sidewalks by bicyclists?

A: Under the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, you're not supposed to ride a bicycle on a sidewalk "within a business district" (Sec. 15-18.7) or on any sidewalk in Waikiki (Sec. 15-4.6(c)).

In residential and other areas where you are allowed to ride a bicycle on a sidewalk, the biker "shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian."

Bicycles with motors are not allowed on any sidewalk.

Auwe

To all the elderly, local bus riders who cut in front of everyone waiting at the bus stop. Unless you're using a wheelchair, walker or white cane, you should wait in line like everyone else. -- Y. Watanabe, Aiea

Auwe

To the woman with three children who got on the express bus across from Farrington High School. Shame on you. Your youngest child could have sat on your lap, and the others were little enough to share a seat. Instead, you took up four seats while others had to stand. -- Janet W.