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Kokua Line
Question: We would like to know how certain individuals have special permission to use state land at Heeia Kea Harbor to build a boat. A commercial operator in Kaneohe Bay has been using the mauka/Ewa end of the parking lot to build a boat for the past two months. Is he paying a fee and if he is, how much is the fee? How long is he allowed to use the space? Can anyone use the space for the same purposes? Boat repairs allowed
in state harborsAnswer: We had a similar complaint two years ago and the answer remains the same, according to Stephen Thompson, district manager for the state's small boat harbors on Oahu.
The practice has been going on for years, not just at Heeia but at other harbors. Boaters, including commercial operators, can obtain a permit from the harbor master and a fee ($1.15 a foot), set by administrative rule and based on the length of the boat, is assessed.
The permits are issued for a minimum of half a month and a maximum of six months, although the latter rarely is allowed because of space problems, Thompson said.
You are not allowed to build a boat from scratch, but reconstruction and other major repairs are allowed, he said.
Asked how many permits are issued at any one time for any one harbor, Thompson said that's determined "case by case."
He noted several permits were issued recently for Waianae and Haleiwa harbors and only one at Heeia.
Q: Can you update us on the Jimmy's Travel situation? I thought they were distributing money to people in January.
A: Nothing was distributed in January, but the first of three restitution checks are already being mailed.
On March 6, Circuit Judge Victoria Marks issued an order granting the state's motion to release more than $200,000 in funds held in an interest-bearing account, said Brian Pang, attorney for Jimmy Lee, former owner of the bankrupt Jimmy's Travel.
"Now that has been done, the probation department has the funds for issuing the checks," Pang said.
Call the Adult Probation Department's hot line for victims of Jimmy's Travel -- 539-4338 -- for updated information.
If you do not receive the first payment by April 3, call the hot line and leave a message.
The amount of restitution and the way the checks are being distributed were to be explained in a letter accompanying the payments.
Pang explained that January was the cutoff for any additional claims to be made against Lee, who in November was sentenced to six months in jail. He had pleaded guilty to first-degree theft for misusing $785,694 of his clients' money. More than 1,100 people filed claims.
Auwe
To the off-duty police officer in the white Ford Thunderbird who was driving in the express lane by himself during heavy morning traffic. You and the on-duty officer in front of you, who seemed oblivious to your actions, ought to be ashamed. While four to five solo-bike officers were pulling over HOV (high-occupancy vehicle lane) violators only a half-mile away, you drove past the rest of us law-abiding citizens who patiently waited in the airport viaduct traffic. Wearing the uniform doesn't give you the right to break laws that you are supposed to enforce! -- No name(The officer was on his way to work, which means he is considered on-duty and allowed to drive in that lane, a police spokeswoman said.)
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