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Kokua Line
June Watanabe
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Roadblocks islandwide, not just Hawaii Kai
Question: Police keep setting up roadblocks to catch drunken drivers or speeders, but why don't they set them up where there are a lot of accidents? If the problem area is the country, like Waialua, then set them up there. Why set up roadblocks in Hawaii Kai? It doesn't make sense. Also, if the problem is speeding at night, then do it at night.
Answer: The Honolulu Police Department sets up roadblocks islandwide and is not targeting Hawaii Kai residents, said spokeswoman Michelle Yu.
The department considers several factors when deciding where to set up roadblocks.
The most important factor, Yu said, is the safety of both the officers and the drivers.
"The locations must have ample space to pull cars over safely while allowing remaining traffic to flow," Yu explained. There also has to be sufficient lighting.
HPD also looks at "gateways," such as freeway entrances, Yu said.
Meanwhile, the dates and times roadblocks are set up are determined by anticipated activities, such as graduation season/parties and holiday weekends, as well as availability of staff.
Yu added that "speed enforcement" is also conducted at various times and locations by solo bike and patrol officers.
Q: I recently took about 20 large Costco brand plastic bottles to Enchanted Lake recyclables. The woman there took them from me but said I was not entitled to a deposit since they came from the mainland, although I bought them here. At that point, I was glad to get rid of them and got 40 cents for the other bottles I brought. So, where can I take these bottles to get money?
A: It doesn't matter where the bottles originated, as long as they are marked "Hawaii 5" or "HI 5," to denote they are subject to the state's 5-cent recycling fee and 1-cent handling fee.
The bottles were probably rejected for refunds because they were 2-liter containers that are not subject to the deposit container law.
Another requirement to note: The state Department of Health says redemption centers will only refund a deposit if the containers are labeled as deposit beverages AND "they are empty and clean of free-flowing liquid or foreign matter."
If you have more questions, call the Health Department at 586-4226 or check www.hawaii.gov/health. Click on "Hawaii Beverage Container Deposit Program."
AUWE
With all this publicity about pedestrian safety, some drivers are not paying attention to walkers in crosswalks and only looking at the surf or beachgoers at Ala Moana Park. One of the worst places to cross is right in front of the "police" office next to the Ewa concession stand. Drivers speed up after crossing the speed humps. Someone is going to get run over one of these days at the park. -- Concerned Pedestrian
HPD says you can send questions and report hazardous areas for pedestrians to WalkingSafe@honolulu.gov.
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