Kokua Line June Watanabe

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Multiunit buildings must make room for bulk refuse

Question: I read somewhere that multifamily dwellings were to make space available for residents to store bulky items until collection day. If so, is that just a courtesy or a requirement of multifamily dwellings?

Answer: Section 9-3.4(b) the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu says: "Every owner of a multiunit residential building or individual unit or the owner's management agent in such a building shall maintain a clean and sanitary storage area for accumulated refuse between collection days."

A multifamily unit is defined as consisting of two or more dwelling units. "Bulky wastes" are one of several types of materials considered to be "refuse."

"The sidewalk is not an appropriate storage area," said David Shiraishi, city refuse collection administrator.

Bulky items should be placed curbside only the evening before, or the morning of the first day of, scheduled collection for your building's district, referred to as a "sector."

It takes the city between three and four days to service a sector.

Auwe

To the driver of a city paramedic vehicle: At about 7:25 a.m. Saturday, May 24, I was traveling on the H-2 freeway toward Wahiawa when the vehicle flew right by me. I was going 55 to 60 mph, so that vehicle must have been going at least 80 mph. The driver did not have his emergency lights or siren activated, so was not responding to an emergency. I confirmed this by calling 911 nonemergency. I was referred to a complaints number, but no one answered. If he continues to drive the way he does, his co-workers may be responding to his accident. I hope something is done right away to correct his driving behavior. -- No Name

Because you did call 911, your call was taped and reviewed.

The incident, which occurred on Sunday morning, according to the tape, was followed up that day, said Patricia Dukes, chief of the city Emergency Medical Services Division.

The driver, a district chief, admitted he "possibly may have been going over the speed limit, but certainly not at the speeds described by the caller," she said. He said he was driving in one lane and not talking on the cell phone.

"He's one of the more seasoned and respected and conscientious people we have" who "doesn't drive like a maniac," Dukes said.

She said he was on duty, heading to Kahuku to respond to "a need" by the ambulance unit there. It was not an emergency, "but he was on a mission."

Instead of calling 911, she said anyone with a question or concern about emergency medical services -- but not an emergency -- can call the EMS 24-hour customer service lines: 590-0299 or 590-0300.

Someone either will answer or you can leave a message and your call will be returned.

However, don't call if you're just curious about an accident you've just seen or about someone injured in an accident.