Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: Several months ago, the Star-Bulletin ran an article on the sale of part of Ko Olina Resort. It mentioned the boat ramp there would be opened to the public in a few months. The entrance is still chained. Did the developers not agree that conditions for the development of the site would be public access to the beaches and public use of the boat ramp? We do have public access to the beaches, but no access to the boat ramp. When will this will come about? First upgrade, then
access to boat rampAnswer: "We want to open up as soon as possible," but there are still permits to obtain and improvements to be made before the public will have access to any boat ramps at the private development, said Nancy Maeda, who oversees resort operations for Ko Olina Ocean Marina LLC.
The company purchased 344 undeveloped acres of the first phase of Ko Olina Resort last year. The purchase does not include the Ihilani Resort & Spa, the 18-hole golf course or any other developed site.
"This is a private marina, but we will allow public access once we complete the total improvements," Maeda said.
If all the permits are obtained, required improvements made (such as to docks) and navigational aids put in place in a timely manner, the ramps could be open by the end of the year, she said.
The ramp you refer to cannot legally be opened to the public, Maeda said, "because the total infrastructure is not yet in place and the Department of Transportation requires certain things to be done." However, the ramp is used by the state and city rescue personnel in emergencies.
"From the state standpoint, we would welcome additional facilities to meet the demand" for a boat ramp in the area, said Howard Gehring, head of the state Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, under the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Q: What does the state feel is a reasonable price gas stations are supposed to be charging people here for gas?
A: According to the state's antitrust lawsuit against major gas wholesalers, filed last year, consumers were overcharged about 20.7 cents a gallon between 1995 and 1998. That translated to roughly $250 for each man, woman and child in Hawaii. Prices at some stations recently went down to under $1.40 a gallon for regular unleaded gasoline, compared to about $1.55 last year.
Mahalo
To two guardian angels who found my wallet on Sunday, March 15, at the UH's Kennedy Theater. I didn't even realize it was missing. Thank you for calling me so promptly and dropping it off at the theater. It was a huge relief to get it back with everything intact. This was a true act of the aloha spirit. -- Sandra Fong
Auwe
To whoever threw an egg at my car about 5 a.m. Wednesday, March 24, on Date Street, near Lukepane. Luckily, my window was up or it would have hit me. I didn't know what was thrown until I got to work. I was still shaking three hours later. I hope you realize you did a foolish thing. Check your eggs the next time you buy some, for they might be rotten and old. Then you might look back at what you did and say, "Auwe." -- Scrambled egg driver
Mahalo
To Mike, who helped me fix my flat tire on a rainy Sunday near Ala Moana Park. He did it efficiently in 10 minutes and would not accept any reimbursement. -- No name
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