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Kokua Line
Question: On Kapahulu Avenue, in front of the Tesoro Express Gas Station next to Kentucky Fried Chicken, for the last year, there is always one car after another parked in a metered stall with "for sale" signs. After one is gone, another one takes its place, constantly taking up that public parking spot and most times, not feeding the meter. Recently, there was a 1988 blue Mazda 323 hatchback. It said to call a cell number. A couple of days later, it was replaced by a 1991 turquoise Mazda 626. The same modus operandi is used -- a "for sale" sign is placed on the windshield and "for sale" is written in grease pen on the rear window. They must get at least some citations for an expired meter, but even so, is this legal? Can't police do something about this? Cars for sale take
public parking stallsAnswer: It is illegal to use a public street as a venue for selling cars, said Honolulu police Capt. Bryan Wauke of the Traffic Division.
That doesn't mean you can't have a "for sale" sign on your car and park it in a metered stall. What you can't do is to park that car in a public stall for the principal purpose of selling it, Wauke said.
"An officer is monitoring the situation and has cited cars in the past," said HPD spokeswoman Michelle Yu. She said last week that the officer has not seen any cars for sale since the week before.
Police warn people to be wary when buying vehicles sold in such a manner and to check all papers carefully to make sure a vehicle is registered to the person selling it and that there are no outstanding fines or citations attached to the vehicle, Yu said.
Q: Can something be done about a tree on Waipahu Street? When the tree is in full bloom, there are a lot of tiny blue fruit and leaves that fall into my yard. The fruit stains my fence and there is a lot of rubbish on the street and on my lot. Can the tree be cut down?
A: As the adjoining property owner, you are responsible for picking up the "rubbish" caused by the tree, even though it is planted in the public sidewalk area, according to William Deering, chief of the Housing Code Section.
As to having the tree cut down, your request was referred to the city Department of Parks and Recreation. Its tree-maintenance staff was to make a determination and get back to you.
Be careful with boric acid
I read the suggestions about getting rid of ants and noticed that some suggested using boric acid. Please also warn readers that boric acid is deadly to cats and can cause illness in children, so people should be careful where they place it. -- L.L.
Mahalo
To Lani and her companion for coming to the aid of a distressed and tired senior citizen who "lost" his car after the Charity Walk on Saturday, May 20. Mahalo for the 35 cents to make a phone call (I had no money with me). Easy solution: call 911, ask for police and get assistance from them. My car was towed (my fault). -- Relieved Senior Citizen
Auwe
To the driver of a blue Nissan Pathfinder who was videotaping his journey northbound on H-2 on Monday, May 15 at 3 p.m. I hope that your passengers were buckled in, especially since you were traveling close to 60 mph! -- L.U.
Mahalo
To a caring woman who came to my aid on May 3 when I fell very hard on my face in front of the Koolau Kaiser clinic. I don't know who she was, but she was truly an angel. I am mending well. Mahalo nui. -- Tutu Nani
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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