Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: I see banyan plants growing out of cracks on overpasses on the H-1. Shouldn't the city control this problem? It could lead to major problems on these bridges. The Vineyard and Keeaumoku overpasses are the worst. State to clip plants
on overpassesAnswer: The overpasses fall under the state Department of Transportation's jurisdiction, and maintenance officials are well aware of the unwanted growth and the potential for future problems.
Work to stem the problem is scheduled to begin within the next couple of months, said Kelly Lee Sato, Oahu district maintenance engineer.
But the actual cutting of the plants is not the problem, he said. Instead, because "safety is our main concern," it's the logistics involved in doing the task that makes it difficult. Work would require shutting down lanes on the freeway and overpasses for equipment, advance notice to the public, police assistance, etc.
"We're looking into night work or perhaps working during the upcoming H-1 resurfacing project," Sato said. "In other words, at a time when we will cause the least disruption to traffic."
Q: I used to live in Hawaii and remember Aloha and Hawaiian airlines selling coupon books for interisland travel. I am planning to visit Hawaii in November. Are these coupon books still available? If so, how can I purchase them? I am no longer a kamaaina.
A: Both airlines do continue to offer coupon books for purchase by kamaaina (Hawaii residents) or visitors.
Hawaiian Air offers you the option of purchasing the books either from the mainland, through its ticket-by-mail service, or in Hawaii. From the mainland, call the reservations line at 1-800-367-5320 to purchase books of 10 coupons for $660, said spokesman Keoni Wagner. If you're in Hawaii, you can purchase books of six for $351. That compares to the kamaaina (Hawaii resident) price of $333 for a book of six.
Meanwhile, anyone can purchase a book of six coupons for $315 for any flight on Aloha Airlines, said spokeswoman Julie King. If you want to travel on both Aloha and Aloha Island Air, the cost for a book of six coupons is $462.
Aloha coupon books must be purchased from an Aloha ticket office or airport counter in Hawaii, King said.
Former baker finds new home
Back in May, a Kokua Line reader wanted to know where the former baker for Liberty House was going, since the store was revamping its restaurants and bakery.In June, baker Joseph Vizcarra said he was hoping to open his own bakery and last week, he called to say he's formally opening Sconees in Kaimuki on Friday. Sconees is located at 1117 12th Ave., where a neighborhood institution, Bea's Pies & Deli, operated for 26 years and which closed on Sept. 30.
Vizcarra said he's going to offer a small percentage of the baked goods he specialized in at Liberty House, such as scones, biscuits, cornbread, lilikoi pies, custard-macadamia nut pies, bran muffins -- "just stuff for the neighborhood." He also said he's going to try to re-create Bea's popular pumpkin-custard pie.
Mahalo
To the men and woman who risked their own safety to give me first aid on Sept. 26 at Kaena Point. I slipped and fell while carrying my bike up a narrow path. My wife and I are so grateful you were there to help us. -- Barney and Laura
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