Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: I was following a school bus that was speeding down University Avenue with a load of children about 3:20 p.m. one day. At Maile Way, the driver moved halfway into the intersection on a red light. There was a lot of black smoke coming from the bus' exhaust pipe. When the light turned green, the driver again picked up speed and moved from the middle lane into the far right lane, heading toward the H-1 freeway. Just before the Honolulu-bound entrance, the driver swerved back into the middle lane going toward Moiliili. I was not able to get the name of the bus company. Can you please let the proper authorities know about this incident? Whistle blown on
speedy school bus driverAnswer: We passed your complaint on to George Okano, chief of the state Student Transportation Services Branch.
With the license and bus numbers you provided, he was able to track down the company. The owner "said he would be talking to the driver about some of these concerns," Okano said.
In general, if a vehicle can be identified as a state-contracted bus, "We can let them (contractors) know that this concern was raised by someone in the public," he said. The number is 831-6738.
"We wouldn't be heavy-handed about it, but we would say this concern was raised," Okano said. "I would say that 99 percent of the time, the contractors would want to clean their own house" because of the liabilities involved with drivers speeding or doing something unsafe.
Q: Regarding the recent shootings in Colorado, I was at Honolulu Airport and saw a video arcade with machines that had violent games. Kids 7 or 8 years old were just walking in and playing laser gun games. There is no parental guidance or even anybody in there to monitor who is playing. I know I can't do something about arcades in the private sector, but it's really upsetting that something like this is on state property. Is there anything that can be done?
A: The "game room" has been at the airport since Sept. 1, 1995, according to state airports administrator Jerry Matsuda. He said yours is the first complaint regarding the arcade games, but "we will be working with the game room operator to review the appropriateness of the games."
The arcade originally was operated by Maka'ala Inc. It's now run by Blind/Disabled Ventures.
"As far as I know there are no state laws limiting the playing of video games only to persons who have attained a certain age or requiring parental supervision of children playing video games," Matsuda said.
During a recent visit, a staff member saw children playing the games you mentioned, but "these children were under the direct supervision of adult family members," Matsuda said.
The operator has placed signs on many games, indicating whether the game is suitable for all players, or if it contains "animated violence" or "lifelike violence."This seems to be another example of where parents should more closely monitor what their children are doing.
Mahalo
To Michael of Sandwich Isle Termite for pulling his truck over to help when my car stalled on Kam Highway the night of April 29. He let me use his cellular phone to call my husband and also placed flares on the road. It makes me feel good knowing there are young people out there willing to help a senior citizen like me. -- M.K. Chun
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
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