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Kokua Line
June Watanabe
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Rules limit bulky items on curbsides
Question:
Can you revisit the rules for leaving heavy items curbside for pickup? These heaps are an eyesore until they are hauled away. I took some photos May 5 of rubbish along and near Keeaumoku Street mauka of Wilder Avenue in Makiki. Some piles are encroaching on bus stops. Can people leave stuff at any time?
Answer: According to the city's bulky-item pickup schedule, the Makiki area is serviced the second Wednesday of each month, with pickup spread out over three or four days. For May, tomorrow would be the first day of pickup.
According to city rules, "All your items must be placed at curbside, in front of your property, by 6 a.m. on the first day or they may not be collected. Bulky items must not be placed at the curb any earlier than the day before your collection day."
The recommended time is the evening before the scheduled pickup day.
If you miss a month's scheduled pickup, you're supposed to take all the bulky items and store them on your property until the next month's collection.
Also, the items should not block sidewalks, driveways or roadways.
If they block sidewalks, call the city Housing Code Section at 768-8159 . If they are blocking driveways or roadways, call the Honolulu Police Department at 911.
If you see items placed far in advance of scheduled pickup, you can call the appropriate district refuse yard:
» Honolulu (Foster Village to Hawaii Kai), 832-7840
» Kapaa (Kailua, Temple Valley, Kaneohe, Waimanalo), 262-7298
» Koolauloa (Kahuku to Kahaluu), 293-5657
» Pearl City (Pearl City, Waipahu, Waipio Gentry, Royal Kunia, Halawa to Makakilo, Kapolei), 455-9644
» Wahiawa (Wahiawa, Kunia Camp, Mililani, Waipio Acres), 621-5241
» Waialua (Waialua, Haleiwa, Sunset), 637-4795
» Waianae (Makaha to Honokai Hale), 697-1178
Meanwhile, illegal dumping is another matter. The city defines it as disposal of primarily nonhazardous waste in an un-permitted area to avoid disposal fees or just to take the easy way out.
You can report illegal dump sites by calling 768-3300 or filing a report online at envhonolulu.org/solid_waste/dumping_report.htm. If you see someone in the act of illegally dumping trash, report it immediately by calling 911.
Q: Regarding the closing of Jackie's Kitchen at Ala Moana Center last summer. I mailed a form in January to Jackie's Kitchen, 1670 Makaloa St., Suite 204, PMB 303, Honolulu HI 96814. I haven't gotten a response. How long does it take for a refund? What else can I do to get a refund?
A: Contact the state Office of Consumer Protection.
"We have been successful in facilitating the processing of the refunds," said Stephen Levins, OCP's executive director. "If someone hasn't received a refund, they should file a complaint with us."
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