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Kokua Line
Question: I've noticed quite a few portable storage crates placed on pallets on roadways. People are storing personal belongings on them. Is that legal? Personal items don’t
belong on roadwaysAnswer: No, that's not legal, but you don't give any details for officials to address your concern.
If the pallets are placed on a public street, then you should call police, said William Deering, head of the city Building Division's Housing Code Section.
Depending on the circumstance, police can issue a citation for littering or for causing a traffic hazard, a spokeswoman for the Honolulu Police Department said.
If they're actually on a public sidewalk, then call his office, 527-6348. Anything other than a vehicle on a sidewalk would fall under his section's jurisdiction.
"We can tell the abutting property owner, in some circumstances, to remove" the materials, Deering said. However, the city cannot cite anyone if it's a state road (in which case, his staff would contact the state) or if it's a private road. In the latter case, it's often difficult to pin down a private owner, Deering said.
In Kakaako, for instance, there are many private roads in which the owners are no longer around, he said.
"There are times we can work with other departments in the city to pick things up, but without knowing" exactly what street(s) you are talking about, it's hard to say what can be done, he said.
He suggested you call him at the above number and provide details. You may remain anonymous.
Q: I had lunch at the University of Hawaii-Manoa's Campus Center recently, where there is a convenience store selling tobacco. Lots of convenience stores sell tobacco, but I wondered what the UH policy is regarding such sales on campus. It's not a smoke-free campus, but I know they have a policy against smoking indoors.
A: It's true that the UH follows the state policy of not allowing smoking in interior spaces, but there is no prohibition on smoking outdoors, said UH spokesman Jim Manke.
There also is no ban on selling cigarettes on campus, he said.
As it happens, however, there is only one place at the UH-Manoa that does sell tobacco and that's at that store you mentioned.
Mahalo
To the Hawaiian Airlines crew and the physician aboard Flight No. 3 from Las Vegas (via L.A.) to Honolulu on Feb. 20 for the care and compassion shown to the man who needed medical attention. No thanks to the inconsiderate passengers in the back of the plane when the announcement was made to remain seated until this man was taken out to awaiting Queen's Hospital staff. They got their baggage and remained standing, thus making a bad situation worse. Don't these adults know that when they disembark, the ones in front go out first? -- No name
Auwe
To the driver of a private disposal service truck. On Feb. 28, several pieces of glass flew out of the truck and hit surrounding cars. Luckily, there were no motorcycle drivers in the immediate vicinity. Windshields can be fixed. -- No name(Since 1998, state law requires drivers to pick up any debris they leave on the roadway. If they can't retrieve it, the driver "shall report, without unnecessary delay," the situation to police. You indicated you contacted the company, but you also should have reported it to police.)
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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