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Kokua Line
Question: Is it legal to set up a (baseball) batting cage with an automatic pitching machine in your back yard? Having a family, every 30 minutes, drive up, drop off their child and practice with their coach -- this goes on all weekend from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is a burden for neighbors who have to listen to someone yelling instructions and, even worse, the clacking of a bat every few seconds. Must be a lucrative business, if legal. We have tried to find out, with no luck. Pitching machine
ruins weekendsAnswer: The activity may be perfectly legal under the city's home occupation ordinance.
However, it is difficult to say yes or no without more information, said William Deering, head of the city Housing Code Section. He asked that you call him at 527-6308.
For example, there may be special conditions set in cases where noise is generated, he said. Specifically, Deering cited this part of the ordinance: "For those activities which may have potential negative noise impacts on adjoining residences, the (building) director may require that such activities be conducted in fully enclosed noise attenuated structures."
Q: Can you ask local people who lived in Las Vegas why they move back to Hawaii? I'm thinking of moving there since I have to retire, but I keep hearing of people returning home for some reason.
A: OK, readers. Can any of you answer this person's question? If we get enough responses, we'll do a follow-up column.
The Star-Bulletin published a weeklong series of articles on Las Vegas six years ago, mostly focusing on how Hawaii folks love to go there -- repeatedly -- on vacations, but also interviewing people lured there because of jobs and the cheaper cost of living.
Still, a familiar refrain among transplanted islanders was that Las Vegas may be many things, but it was not "home."
Many people said they missed Hawaii's food, people, beaches, weather and "aloha spirit." Perhaps, some missed all that too much.
Q: I am writing on behalf of my aunt and uncle. They have two refrigerators in their patio. One is broken; the other is in need of major repair, so they cannot be donated. The city bulky-item office said we need to get them out to the front driveway for pickup. We need help. None of my friends or their neighbors are strong enough to haul it to the front. Do you know if there is a company that does this kind of service -- hauling heavy items for people like us just to the front of the house OR will pick them up and take it to the dump (for a fee, of course).
A: Readers, can you help? If so, please call Kokua Line, 525-8686, and leave a message.
Mahalo
To the drivers and occupants of two vehicles who stopped to help my sister and my 10-year-old daughter on the side of the freeway near Waipahu, after my sister's car caught on fire Sunday evening, Mother's Day. Mahalo for comforting my little girl on the most traumatic event of her life. Your aloha and caring has made it easier for her to cope with what happened. People like you prove that the "aloha spirit" is alive in Hawaii. Mahalo nui for getting them safely to Kamehameha Shopping Center, where I could pick them up. -- Nancy Kahalewai Ke
Auwe
To the driver of a car that hit my car without even saying sorry. -- No name
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