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Kokua Line
Question: I would like to file a complaint against the law enforcement of the Harbors Division or whoever is in charge of enforcing small boat harbors at the Department of Land and Natural Resources, especially the boat-launching area at Keehi small boat harbor. Over the past years, I have seen large groups of young adults (100 or more) drinking and fighting every weekend and sometimes during weekdays, about 3 to 6 a.m. This is a dangerous situation, especially for fishermen who use the ramp. I have called state agencies about this problem, but all I get is, "we don't have the manpower" or "this is out of our jurisdiction." What I am afraid of is, who is going to protect members of the public who dare to venture into that area? I am not the only one who has complained. Can you open some eyes and ears by publishing this in your column? Carousers at harbors
cause for concernAnswer: Officials think the number of carousers is actually closer to one to two dozen, but acknowledge their presence "has been a recurring issue" at Keehi.
"Based on (your) comments and some from the harbor master, plus the fact that school is out, we will be stepping up sweeps of that area," said Stephen Thompson, Oahu District manager for the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Small Boat Harbors Division.
Both police and the department's DOCARE (Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement) have jurisdiction over that area. "DOCARE is the one we've asked to increase their presence," Thompson said, adding that they've pledged to increase enforcement.
Because of problems at Sand Island, "we actually had to close the Sand Island facility, so some (of the people there) seem to be coming into the Keehi harbor," Thompson said. "These are primarily youths."
Although a gate leading to boat slips at Keehi is closed in the evening, the boat-ramp area is open 24 hours a day, he said.
Q: I've seen a bunch of fire engines, including a hook-and-ladder, lined up in front of the Honolulu Municipal Building on King Street on Sundays. Are they there for inspection or some show?
A: The 14-story municipal building has proven to be a handy site for the Honolulu Fire Department to conduct various drills because it's usually not used on weekends.
This past weekend was the fourth in a series of drills putting firefighters in emergency "high-rise scenarios," said Fire Department spokesman Capt. Richard Soo.
There was a break the weekend of June 24 because of the Taste of Honolulu event on the grounds of City Hall, but the drills will continue this weekend and as needed after that, he said.
Soo said the "enhanced drill scenario" was prompted by the worst high-rise fire in Honolulu, on April 1. That blaze engulfed the top floor of the 16-story Interstate Building and injured 11 firefighters.
Auwe
About 3 p.m. one day, I saw a uniformed policeman in grayish four-door Ford Explorer make an illegal right turn on a red light from Young Street onto Pensacola. The sign posted there says no right turn on red. This officer did not use his turn signal, then proceeded to double-park in front of Kaiser Hospital on Pensacola for more than 15 minutes, leaving his vehicle. How is it that he has the liberty to do such things when regular people would get a traffic citation? I am very disappointed in him and in any policeman who would set such a terrible example. -- No name(We passed on your complaint to HPD.)
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