Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: Is there still a curfew law regarding teen-agers being off the street at a certain time? Curfew law enforced
with exceptionsAnswer: There is a state curfew law for children under 16 that says they cannot be on any public street or highway, or in a public place, or private place held open to the public after 10 p.m. and before 4 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent, guardian or adult authorized by a parent or guardian.
Exceptions are made "in case of necessity," or when permitted in writing by a Family Court judge.
However, Honolulu police Sgt. Patrice Gionson of the runaway squad said officers will make judgments based on the location and activity the child is involved in. Also, she said, officers sometimes will call parents to make sure they know what is going on.
Q: On the corner of Hamakua and Keolu drives, there is a mock orange hedge that is growing onto the sidewalk and is more than 6 feet high. Isn't there a city code on the height of fencing or hedges on a corner?
A: Private hedges on two properties at the location you mentioned encroached onto the sidewalk, confirmed William Deering, chief of the city Housing Code Branch. Notices of violation were issued, he said.
The city traffic code regulates the height and placement of walls, fences, signs, hedges, trees, shrubs, etc., at street corners, to prevent any obstruction of vision or a traffic hazard.
Complaints should be directed to the Honolulu Police Department, Deering said.
Q: Tunnel entrances on the Pali, Likelike and H-3 display signs telling drivers to turn on or use headlights through the tunnels. Is this part of the traffic law or regulation, or merely a suggestion? It seems obvious that more and more vehicles are making the passage blacked out.
A: The signs are merely advisory. "This is a safety measure to increase driver awareness while driving through these tunnels," according to the state Department of Transportation.
Q: What is going on at the corner of 16th and Waialae Avenue (makai/Ewa corner) in Kaimuki? It's been a vacant lot for some time, but now it looks like it's being used for construction storage, with a big pile of gravel. Were permits issued or needed?
A: The lot is being used for a Board of Water Supply project on Paula Drive.
Temporary construction site yards associated with capital improvement projects under the jurisdiction of a city agency do not require a temporary use approval permit, said William Deering, chief of the Housing Code Branch. The latest the project is expected to be completed is next August.
Mahalo
To the Queen's Hospital emergency staff. About 9 a.m. July 13 I was involved in a work-related injury and rushed to Queen's by my partner. The emergency-room staff -- admitting clerks, nurses and attending doctor -- made me feel I was in good care. Just to hear a caring voice and a show of concern begins the healing process. Again, to the angels of Queen's emergency staff. a big mahalo -- Ferdie Jose
Auwe
To whoever stole my purple backpack on wheels from my garage on July 15. What was in there -- my schoolbooks, notes, homework and projects -- was of no value to you. You added stress to an already stressful period in school. -- 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