Kokua Line
By June Watanabe
Tuesday, September 8, 1998
Kokua Line
Somebody who lives on Wilhelmina Rise has dumped a couple of big pieces of construction material down the Koko Head side of the hill, about halfway down. It looks like pieces of a wall, about 5 feet by 10 to 15 feet in size. It's very unsightly, but also, a strong wind could blow the debris onto houses below. Can something be done? Bishop Estate to clear
Wilhelmina Rise debrisAlthough it wasn't responsible for the debris, landowner Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate will be responsible for clearing up what turns out to be two pieces of a catamaran hull.
Your complaint was investigated by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, because it involves conservation land.
Unfortunately, there were no identifying marks on the hulls, so there was no way to determine for sure who apparently tossed them over the side of the mountain, said Patti Edwards, acting investigator for DLNR's Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement.
Because of the location, it took awhile to even determine what the discarded items were.
"We verified that it was there by checking from Halekoa Ridge and from Kilauea (Avenue)," Edwards said. "But it was difficult to tell what it was." Fortunately, DLNR was able to hitch a ride on a police helicopter to pinpoint the location.
On Aug. 21, "we actually took a hike up there" and discovered the hull of a Hobie Cat that had split up. One piece was about 100 yards down and the other about 40 feet down, Edwards said.
The assets manager for KSBE was sent a copy of the report, plus photographs, last week, and promised to rectify the matter, she said.
The landowner is obligated to clean up the trash, but in this case, KSBE wasn't aware of the problem, Edwards said. "So I want to be fair and give them an opportunity to get it out of there. It's going to take some work to get it out because those things are bulky and (on) a pretty treacherous slope."
I've been noticing that many automobiles, dozens of them, don't have front license plates attached. Is it true that you don't need licenses in the front anymore? No, it's not true. State law requires vehicles to have front and back plates.
Who is responsible for enforcing laws about not posting signs on poles on state highways? I called the governor's office 10 days ago and still haven't got an answer.
Police enforce the no-posting laws, but, as discussed previously in Kokua Line, the problem is in catching the culprits actually posting the fliers.
If poles with street lights are involved, the Mayor's Office of Information and Complaints (523-4381) will refer the matter to the city Department of Transportation Services. If possible, the staff will try to contact those responsible and advise them of the law.
If you've got a spare working computer, volunteer Jack Sullivan and his nonprofit Citizens Committee for the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility would appreciate any donations. Sullivan recently started a class at HYCF on personal finance and bookkeeping. Donations are tax-deductible. Call 531-0605. Old computers wanted
To all you campaign sign wavers, especially one in the Nuuanu area. You are annoying, make it dangerous for drivers and don't tell us a darn thing about you. -- Alewa Heights residents Auwe
To Kaneohe police officers Gomes and Kamakawi for their quick response on Aug. 18 when some suspicious characters were on our street. -- No name Mahalo
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com
