Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: We worked for years to get bulky-item pickups on schedule and get the streets of Makiki cleaned up of all the dumps on all the corners. But all of a sudden, the schedule has not worked. They haven't picked anything up for weeks. The city claimed the trucks broke down. Why can't it publish when they're not making pickups? The city is impossible to communicate with. Can you get something from the city? Bulky-refuse pickups
back on scheduleAnswer: The problem was that the three bulky-item trucks assigned to the Honolulu area were broken (and continue to be out of service), putting the city behind its scheduled pickups.
"Then, it's a chain reaction," said David Shiraishi, city refuse collection administrator.
However, using refuse collection trucks, bulky-item pickups have been back on schedule since Aug. 31, he said.
According to records, Shiraishi said bulky items left out in Makiki in August should have been picked up by Aug. 31. Anything still on the street was put out in the past two weeks, even though the next scheduled pickup in Makiki is tomorrow through Friday. As for the bulky-item trucks, three are assigned to the Honolulu district, which runs from Foster Village to Kalama Valley.
The engines of those trucks are good, but the bodies are shot and need to be replaced, Shiraishi said.
So, "While new trucks have been purchased, we will refurbish these (old) trucks to get even more backup in the future," he said.
Q: I was interested in a Queen's Hospital health fair downtown on Sept. 1, so I called the hospital and no one knew anything about it. I wanted to purchase some of the items on display. Can you help?
A: The reason the hospital staff didn't have information is because the health fair was sponsored by the Queen's Physician Group -- not Queen's Medical Center.
The event was held to kick off Women's Health Month in September, said Harris Nakamoto, chief operating officer for Queen's Physician Group.
Various other organizations, including Queen's Medical Center, the YWCA, American Heart Association and American Lung Association participated. They offered such things as free blood-pressure checks, pens and educational materials.
The Queen's Physician Group, meanwhile, showcased its "Music is Good Medicine" program. But there was nothing sold and, therefore, nothing for you to buy, Nakamoto said.
However, if you're interested, he is more than happy to share information about the "Music is Good Medicine" program, which was started in July to promote good health in the community, including at commercial areas, schools and senior centers.
Instead of someone just talking about lowering cholesterol, for example, "we communicate and connect with the audience" through songs and exhibits, Nakamoto said.
If interested, call 532-6181.
Mahalo
To the staff of Sam Choy's Kahului restaurant, where we had lunch on a recent trip to Maui. Later, approaching the airport, I realized I had forgotten my camera there. Anxiously, we rushed back. My wife ran into the restaurant and returned carrying my prized Nikon. Server Liane Morimoto had noticed the camera and turned it over to manager Wes Lee. On our flight back to Oahu, we reflected on their honesty. Simultaneously, we said, "Lucky we live Hawaii!" -- Paul Hughes
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
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