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Kokua Line
June Watanabe
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Refuse Division replaces only 'unserviceable' garbage bins
Question: My trash bin got damaged by the refuse truck in June. It has a big hole on its side. The driver reported it to his supervisor for a replacement. I called the Refuse Division in July to check and was told the district supervisor would be informed. Still no replacement as of July 24. Can you help?
Answer: According to the Department of Environmental Services, the Refuse Division ran out of replacement bins. We were told Thursday a shipment of new bins was to arrive the next day.
For some reason, you didn't have to wait for that shipment, telling us you finally got your replacement on Thursday.
Markus Owens, spokesman for Environmental Services, said the Refuse Division "normally works very quickly to replace bins" if they're in stock.
A bin will not be replaced unless the Refuse Division deems it "unserviceable," he said.
Q: I purchased a condo in a 60-unit complex seven years ago. The problem is the smoke in the barbecue area in our back yard. The area is in use for eight hours daily, and the smoke from the grill fills the apartments facing the back yard. We have petitioned the board to relocate the grill. However, whenever the board is ready to take action, new members get elected and we start the process all over again. This has been going on for six years. It's very frustrating and also very unhealthy. We really do not want to sue the board for inaction or for not representing the needs of the entire complex, but we must find a solution. Could you tell us what our options are?
A: You should talk to a condominium specialist at the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' Real Estate Commission. Call 586-2643.
You did the right thing in petitioning the board of directors, but six years is a long time to get the problem resolved, an official with the commission noted. However, without more information, he said it was difficult to give you an answer.
Q: I live next to a home that is supposedly a rental unit that can accommodate four families. It seems as though every couple of months, a new family moves in. I am assuming smoking is not allowed because the residents come out to smoke in the garage area, blowing the smoke toward my house and causing my living room to smell as if a smoker lives here. Over the years, several friends and relatives have told me that the rentals are illegal and I should report it. How do we do that?
A: Call the city Housing Code Section at 768-8159, providing the street address or Tax Map Key.
Q: What ever happened to Bakery Kapiolani in the Aiea Shopping Center? My son was going to buy dessert there one day and told me it was closed. There was no news about it closing and nothing posted on the window. I couldn't believe it.
A: We couldn't find any information on when or why the restaurant closed.
If any readers or the owners can provide an answer, please call 529-4773 and leave a message, or e-mail kokualine@starbulletin.com.
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