Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.
Kokua Line
Question: Who built the Haleiwa boat ramp pier? When the tide is low, I jump 6 feet into my boat and almost break my leg. Can you tell them to rebuild the pier? The pier is 13 inches too high. The long pier on the left is perfect. Haleiwa pier leaves
boat lower in waterAnswer: The state had the ramp/pier rebuilt by contractors within the past three years, according to Stephen Thompson, Oahu District manager for the state Small Boat Harbors.
He was surprised to hear of your complaint, saying it was the first he's heard of since the rebuilding.
"The ramp was there before, but we had to improve it, and when we improved it, it did get a little higher," Thompson said, estimating it's about 3 to 3 feet from the top of the dock to the lowest point.
However, he said that pier was built so that smaller boats would not slip under it at low tide and with "handles" placed to help boaters climb out of their boats.
It was rebuilt "so that the community would accept it," he said, adding that "we had a community meeting at the ramp with the contractor."
If you're having problems, he said the lower ramp in the harbor may be better suited to your boat, although you "should be able to operate fine from either ramp. Once a month, there is a low, low tide and maybe (you) hit it on the lowest low," he said.
Q: I realize that you are not HPD, but I have called 911 on five different occasions about a boat parked on Dole Street. On each occasion, I was told by the dispatcher that they would check on it, but I still see the boat parked there. In the University of Hawaii area, parking is really critical. I believe that you are allowed to park any vehicle for only 24 hours without moving before it may be cited or towed.
A: An officer who checked on your complaint said he talked to the owner's wife and the boat has been moved off the street, said spokeswoman Michelle Yu.
It is against the law to park any vehicle on the street for more than 24 hours without it being moved.
Q: Is there a city ordinance regulating the obstruction of a public sidewalk? There is an auto shop on Waialae Avenue that frequently has damaged cars parked in ways that intrude upon the sidewalk area. Also, their vendors' trucks must drive onto the sidewalk to drop off parts. Who can I contact about monitoring this situation to ensure this does not happen in the future?
A: The city has received complaints about this business in the past, however, when officers have gone out to check, they have not witnessed any violations, said HPD spokeswoman Michelle Yu.
"Officers have talked to the owner in the past and the business owner has been cooperative in complying," she said. "However, officers will continue to monitor the area."
If you see a violation, call police at 911. If it is something other than a vehicle blocking a public sidewalk, call the city housing code section at 527-6308.
Mahalo
To the two men who helped me after I fell in the parking lot of the Kahala McDonald's recently. One was going through the drive-thru and came out of his car to help. I am OK now but am so grateful for their concern. May they be blessed always. -- Grateful senior citizen
Mahalo
To Gerry the bus driver and a lady whose name we didn't get. Thank you for helping my wife, Grace, when she got hit by a bicycle Feb. 21 on King Street. -- Richard and Grace Ogata
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