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Kokua Line
Question: The commuter terminal at Honolulu Airport is experiencing a face lift of restrooms at the baggage claim area, with a sign to use the main terminal. I was told by an airline employee that this was to be completed before they closed the restrooms in the waiting area. Wrong! The baggage area restrooms have been closed for two months and are still under construction, yet the state authorized the closing of the waiting-area restrooms. There are porta-potties in a hallway for now, but no way a disabled person can use them. How can they do this? Restrooms available
in baggage areaAnswer: Ironically, the restroom renovations are part of Phase II of the Statewide Architectural Barrier Removal Project, which includes modifying facilities at Honolulu Airport to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessible Guidelines, said state airports Administrator Jerry Matsuda.
He explained that demolition of restroom facilities in the gate waiting area at the commuter terminal began the evening of June 14. The next day, restroom facilities at the terminal's baggage claim area were opened to coincide with that demolition.
However, there were some "minor concerns" with door hinges in the newly opened restrooms, Matsuda said. It took maintenance workers two hours to make corrections, he said, but the restrooms were open during that time and "available for use by anyone, including persons with disabilities."
Matsuda also said portable toilets were in place in the main lobby before demolition of restrooms in the waiting lobby began.
He acknowledged they may not be fully accessible to persons with disabilities but pointed out the disabled could use the new restrooms in the baggage claim area.
Q: In July, I reported a water leak at a Stadium Park water fountain to someone at the Board of Water Supply, who said this was the jurisdiction of the parks department. So I called parks, where a person thanked me for my concern and said he would look into it. Several days later, I meandered through the park and saw the fountain was still leaking. The BWS tells the public to conserve water, but is this all "shibai"?
A: A Board of Water Supply standby crew and parks maintenance staff looked into your complaint on July 20, according to manager/chief engineer Clifford Jamile.
The water was shut off until repairs could be completed. Report water leaks on public property to the Water Waste hot line, 527-6126, during business hours, or after hours, 527-5200.
Q: Regarding the municipal golf course at West Loch: the prime parking spaces closest to the clubhouse have been reserved for staff only. What business reserves prime parking for its employees instead of its customers?
A: "Basically, we try to get our people, like our starters, closer to the clubhouse because they come in during darkness and leave sometimes during darkness," said city golf course system administrator Dave Mills. "It's a security thing more than a convenience thing."
West Loch has an area where players can drop off their clubs, then park, he noted. However, he said he's assessing the situation.
Mahalo
To Donald Yamato, a member of a local Lion's Club, who drove us to the airport in time for a flight to Florida on June 13. Our car's timing belt broke on the viaduct, leaving us stranded late at night. He refused to accept any monetary gratuity and is truly a Lion to be proud of. -- The Lum 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