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Kokua Line
Question: I go to a lot of meetings in the Ward Avenue area and notice there are no ramps for wheelchair users at any of the side streets crossing Ward. I've been at Dixie Grill, at the intersection of Ward and Halekauwila, and watched as people in wheelchairs tried crossing. It is very dangerous as cars don't wait for them to get up the curb. Why can't the city install wheelchair ramps there? City’s rolling on
Ward curb rampsAnswer: Wheelchair ramps are being planned all around Oahu, but it will take time to get them all in place, according to the city.
There has been an ongoing program, dating back to the 1970s, to put in curb ramps at various intersections. Under this program, work to install ramps on Ward at the intersections of Auahi, Halekauwila, Ilaniwai, Queen, Kawaiahao, Waimanu and Kapiolani is anticipated to begin in November, said Gary Yee, director of the city Department of Design and Construction.
In 1999, prompted by a federal lawsuit, the city adopted a plan that calls for a six-year implementation period to install wheelchair ramps. Yee said that plan calls for ramps to be installed in the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1, at the intersections of Hotel, Beretania and King streets with Ward Avenue.
Work at the Ward and Kinau Street intersection will involve two projects, one by the city Department of Transportation Services and the other by the state Department of Transportation, Yee said.
The 1999 Transition Plan was prompted by a federal lawsuit filed under the Americans with Disabilities Act by two disabled men, who said they could not easily negotiate city sidewalks and streets in their wheelchairs.
The two sides reached a settlement in 1997, in which the city had to come up with a plan to install curb ramps at all its intersections within 21 months, then actually install them within six years.
Computer talk on the radio
Mahalo to several readers who responded to a question in Saturday's Kokua Line, asking if there was any computer talk show programs on local radio.They all pointed us to Hawaii Public Radio, specifically to KIPO (89.3 FM) and KIFO (1380 AM). On Wednesdays, you can tune in to "Tech Nation" at 4 p.m., followed by "Real Computing" at 4:30 p.m.
Both originate from the San Francisco area. For "Tech Nation," call 415-386-2710; "Real Computing," 415-771-8990.
Mahalo
To the person who found my husband's black cane, which we left in the bottom of a Longs Drugs cart at Kahala Mall about two weeks ago. This kind and perceptive person placed the cane atop the handicapped sign in an upper level parking stall so that when we returned to park there the next day, my husband spotted it right away. What class. -- Joan Eng
Auwe
I live on the fringes of Nehu Park in Aina Haina and I don't mind the noise the kids make. But whatever organization that baseball league is run by should teach the adults -- coaches, too -- how to act. Most are fine and talk to the kids (6-8 years old) with respect and patience. But some? There is much to be desired. -- No name
Mahalo
To the Caucasian gentleman who found my clutch bag, which I carelessly left in the produce department, and returned it intact to the courtesy counter at Moiliili Star Market. The true meaning of the aloha spirit lives on! -- GMY
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
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