Kokua Line
By June Watanabe
Tuesday, December 15, 1998
Kokua Line
If the City and County of Honolulu is so short of money that it has to raise property taxes, why is it wasting money putting a copper roof on the new fire station in Waikele? Copper roof
was picked for
low maintenanceCopper was selected because of the very steep pitch of the station's roof, said Edward Yee, administrative officer for the Honolulu Fire Department.
Yee provided the answer, although it is the city's Department of Design and Construction (formerly Building Department) that is responsible for the structure.
"We just live in it," Yee said.
The design and construction people "decided a low maintenance material would be the best since it would be difficult to get up to the roof" to make repairs, he said.
The total cost of the new fire station, which is set to open next March, is $2.1 million.
Why does it take the Hawaii State Tax Collector so long to cash a check? I sent a check for $2,110 in April. But I only owed $63, so was sent a refund. But according to my bank, my check was never cashed.
The department will not comment about your specific case because all that information is confidential, said Tax Department spokeswoman June Yamamoto.
However, she indicated that the check was indeed cashed and someone would call you to clear up the matter.
In general, Yamamoto said you should wait "one more period" beyond the time you expect a canceled check to be returned. "Anytime beyond that, you should check with us," she said.
The number to call is 587-4242.
Who is responsible for painting curbs red? On Mokauea Street, between Eluwene and Kaumualii, fronting the church, cars park all the way to the corner. It's like playing Russian roulette on Sundays to get out because cars block the view. I almost got hit because I couldn't see oncoming traffic. Can't they paint the curbs red or have officers monitor the area?
That area "has been a problem," concurred Maj. Mike Hama, with the Honolulu Police Department's Traffic Division.
"We need to get people to start complying" with traffic regulations, he said.
Hama said to call police at 911 whenever you see the illegal parking. You may have to keep doing it for awhile to bring it to the attention of both the drivers and patrol officers.
But, the philosophy of community policing is that "everyone has to be involved," he said.
To all those wonderful people who stopped to help me and my son, when he had a seizure around 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, near the Pearl City electric plant. Thank you, again, white Honda (Linda, husband and two children); burgundy Chevy van (woman with daughter); white pickup truck (young gentlemen). I'm sorry if I missed anyone. My son is doing great. The aloha spirit lives on. -- The Heen Family Mahalo
To S.C., who sent an auwe to a guy for stopping on the road on the North Shore, causing her to hit the car in front of her: Auwe
Obviously, S.C. was driving much too close to the car in front. She should take responsibility for the accident instead of blaming someone else. -- No name
To the Outdoor Circle and Carolyn Heinrich for planting the trees at Kaneohe District Park. We are most grateful. -- Jean Schrader and the Ladies of the Water Exercise Class 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
