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Kokua Line
Question: At Magic Island, there are picnic areas you can reserve. What if the permit holder comes late? We were there picnicking since 9:30 a.m. when a guy shows up about 11 and asks us to move. By then, there was no other place for us to move to. His permit said 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but is there any time limit? What if they don't show up until late? Permits hold space
for late picnickersAnswer: There is no penalty if a permit-holder shows up late, according to city Department of Parks and Recreation officials.
The permits are valid for the date, place and time frame for which they are issued.
According to park rules, any picnic site at a city park is first-come, first-served, "except for the Ala Moana and Kapiolani Beach parks during the summer season when advanced picnic site reservations are required" AND except for groups of 50 or more.
Picnic groups with fewer than 50 people do not need permits, except for parks with recreation centers and for Ala Moana and Kapiolani during the summer season. Groups larger than 50 must obtain a picnic permit, while groups larger than 100 must obtain an "application for use of park facilities."
There is no fee for a picnic permit, although large groups are asked for a refundable cleanup deposit of $100 to $1,000.
Permit holders are reminded to show up early to set up, especially during the summer, said parks permit officer Doug Mizuno. "Although our rules don't set limits as far as voiding permits at a certain time, we can only hope that people honor the time."
In most cases, groups are accommodating to other people picnicking in the same location, he said. However, since there are no parks personnel (except maintenance staff) to monitor the permits, if there is a conflict, people should call police at 911, Mizuno said.
The permits are issued for a time span, typically from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mizuno noted there is a big picnic area not subject to permit reservations at the end of the parking lot at Magic Island.
'The mainland cares'
I've been keeping track of what happened at Kaimuki High School regarding the theft of fish and am sending a small donation to let them know the mainland cares. -- Ed ClemensSonny Palabrica, of San Francisco, also emailed the Star-Bulletin saying he wanted to send a donation.
Kaimuki High aquascience teacher Lowell Cambra says he is grateful for all the support shown after thieves stole more than 100 pounds of catfish and hybrid tilapia from the school's aquascience program.
People have donated money, as well as sunfish to help get the program back on track. Clyde Tamaru, of the University of Hawaii's Sea Grant Program, meanwhile, will help students do another spawn of Asian catfish, Cambra said. "Because of the outstanding community support and people who care, we'll be able to continue and upgrade our program," he said.
If you'd like to help, checks can be made out to Kaimuki High School Aquascience Program. Send it to KHS, 2705 Kaimuki Ave., Honolulu 96816.
Mahalo
On Sunday, Sept. 24, I was shopping with my 9-year-old granddaughter, Bianca. We went into Longs, where she left her new wallet, with $7 in it, plus two new pens she had just bought at Sears. The next day, I checked at Longs and found that an employee had turned everything in, including the money. That honest clerk made one little keiki very happy. -- Marilyn Jones
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