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Kokua Line
June Watanabe
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Shoe recyclers take only those that have soles made of rubber
Question:
My family has lots of old shoes that are not wearable that we want to recycle instead of throwing away. We called Niketown, which said they take old shoes any time. We called the city's recycling office, and they said that we could take rubber-soled shoes to any fire station. We are assuming that Niketown accepts only rubber-soled shoes as well. We would like to know if and where we can recycle non-rubber-soled shoes (e.g., dress shoes, women's heels).
Answer: Unfortunately, there is no apparent market for recycling unwearable, non-rubber-soled shoes, according to the city Recycling Office.
But for those who might be unaware, you can recycle athletic, rubber-soled shoes via Nike's Reuse-a-Shoe Campaign. For more information, call 943-6453 or go online at www.nikereuseashoe.com. On Oahu, shoes may be dropped off at Niketown at 2080 Kalakaua Ave. in Waikiki.
As part of the Nike campaign, athletic shoes also may be dropped off at any fire station on Oahu between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m., if the companies are in, except for meal times -- noon to 12:45 p.m. and 5 to 5:45 p.m. -- said Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. Terry Seelig.
Any brand of athletic shoe is accepted, as long as it does not contain metal, cleats or spikes. Also, make sure the shoes are not muddy or wet, tied together or placed in plastic bags, Seelig said.
The shoes are recycled into material used in sport surfaces, such as basketball and tennis courts and playgrounds.
Q: Approximately 10 yards before the intersection of Renton Road and Kapolei Parkway, on the makai side of Kapolei Parkway, two sprinkler heads are broken and spilling hundreds of gallons of water into the street 24 hours a day. They have been broken for more than three weeks. I contacted Ewa Community Watch, Ewa by Gentry and the city Board of Water Supply. Everyone agrees there is a problem, but the sprinklers continue to dump water into the sewer. Can you find someone willing to take responsibility and fix them?
A: Shortly after you contacted us, the water valve was turned off by the Board of Water Supply.
However, the sprinklers, which are under the city Department of Facility Maintenance's Road Maintenance Division, "will take more time" to repair, an official said.
The water spewing out was recycled water, said BWS spokeswoman Su Shin. The department's recycled water team managed to shut off the valve, then informed the city of the problem.
Auwe
To the young woman at Diamond Head Market on Saturday morning, June 14, who was talking loudly in French on her cell phone while trying to retrieve a scone, knowing I was waiting patiently. She made a rude remark as she walked away. To top it off, she paid for the one scone with a credit card. How unfortunate no one taught her manners. -- Annoyed in Kaimuki
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