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Kokua Line
Question: I take my newspapers to recycling bins that are placed at various schools. Recently, I've noticed that several of those bins are beginning to rust through on top. When it rains, the papers will get all wet. Can they still use wet paper for recycling? City getting new
recycling bins at
all sitesAnswer: So far, that hasn't been a problem, although if there is a really heavy downpour, the papers may be unrecyclable, said Suzanne Jones, city recycling coordinator.
But the good news is that, by June 1, bins at all 60 of the city's recycling sites will be replaced by brand-new, custom-made steel containers.
Jones acknowledged there are many old bins sporting rusted tops "and we are concerned about that."
The new containers are being constructed of stronger steel and painted with special anti-graffiti paint, Jones said. The steel parts are being shipped from the mainland, but the bins are being constructed and painted here by the recycling program's local contractor.
The recycling program, now 10 years old, involves selected public schools as partners who "host the bins," Jones said. In exchange, "all revenue goes back to the school."
Over the years, the schools have shared more than $600,000 in revenue, she said.
Q: How do we get a short-form census survey? I'm perfectly happy to fill out the census form. But I received a long form, which has 60 questions for the first person and 30 for the second. For some of these financial questions, which are very exact, I would need to do my taxes first, then take the information off the tax form and put it on census form. They want to know all sorts of questions. It seems to me to be an invasion of privacy. The IRS already has that information. I would like to help my country, but only by answering the short form. I can't get in touch with a person to ask for a short form. Can you help?
A: There is no procedure for exchanging long forms for short forms, said Bob Asato, manager of the Honolulu office of the Census Bureau.
"We select one of six families at random" to receive the long form," he said. "We hope they fill out the form they receive."
As detailed in a previous Kokua Line column, Title 12 of the U.S. Code requires that you furnish the census information requested. There is no provision to say you do not wish to answer any question.
Auwe
About 10:50 one night, I was going 45 mph on the Pali Highway headed toward Hawaiian Memorial Park. A car in back was doing about 70 mph, tailgating me, so I moved to the right lane. Lo and behold, the car had a government license plate and a sticker saying "Go Marines." This driver should be banned from driving any government vehicle. Please relay this message to the property authorities. -- No name(We passed the license plate number and other details onto authorities at Marine Forces Pacific headquarters, who said they would follow up.)
Mahalo
To a gentleman in a black compact car who stopped by our house on 8th Avenue to let us know that our dogs had gotten out and were loose a block away. We were unable to get his name as we were so excited about getting our dogs back. To this day we don't know how our dogs got loose, but we are very grateful to that gentleman for taking the time to let us know where our dogs were. -- Two little girls and their family.
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