Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: I called the refuse department about obtaining an extra trash container, and they said they would monitor my rubbish for six weeks. After six weeks, I called back and they said they were unable to monitor me because they were backlogged and too busy. Yet, they picked up all the extra rubbish I had on the street. How many families have gotten extra rubbish cans? Extra trash ‘carts’
issued if warrantedAnswer: About 500 households have received a second "cart," at no charge. However, you must prove to the city's satisfaction that you truly have too much household trash for one cart, said refuse collection Administrator David Shiraishi.
"Our routes are sized on the number of carts issued," he said. "We don't want to have many second carts that are really not used every day."
If you ask for a second cart, you're asked to place excess trash in a bag outside on collection day. A supervisor will monitor the amount of excess for about one month.
During that period, you will be advised not to place any green waste (yard refuse) out for automated pickup, because that's collected separately.
"Any green waste found in the cart will not be counted as household refuse," Shiraishi said.
Meanwhile, those turned down for an extra cart are advised to:
Shiraishi said he recognizes the inconvenience all this may cause, but issuing the minimum number of carts helps control costs and maintain the efficiency of refuse collection.Hold the "non-putrescible rubbish" (trash that will not decompose) until the next collection day.
The cart has flexible, reverse-taper sides and "a substantial amount of rubbish can be stuffed into it without damaging the cart or making it harder to empty," Shiraishi said.
If you still think you need a second cart, call 527-5358.
Mahalo
To the people in the Moanalua Valley residential area who came to my aid on Sept. 9 when I fell and fractured my hip. Someone put a jacket under my head, some prayed, someone used a cell phone to call 911. At least a half dozen or more people stopped to help. The only person whose name I got was Gwen McCoy, who called the hospital. I am out of the hospital now and will be hobbling on crutches for a few months, but I am fine. -- Lorrie Cahill
Auwe
To the hit-and-run driver who smashed my parked '86 Nissan Maxima on Labor Day evening just up the road from Honolulu Country Club. I only had the car for three weeks. I worked hard for it and could only afford the basic no-fault insurance coverage at this time. You should be off the streets for being irresponsible and a coward. Face up to the damage you did or stay off the streets! Thanks to my neighbors who tried to help. -- C.U. Apana
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