Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: We were driving on the H-1 freeway from Ewa Beach to Honolulu one night and noticed that there were many street lights not working. In some areas like the Vineyard offramp, the lights are on during the day. Are the timers off? Who turned
the lights off on
the H-1 freeway?Answer: No problem with the timers. Simply, "the lights are out on the H-1," according to state transportation spokeswoman Marilyn Kali. But, she said, officials hope to have new lights working "very soon."
Some lights aren't working because they have yet to be turned on. Kali explained that part of the maintenance work on the H-1 this past year was to replace old lights. "The new ones will be activated soon," she said.
However, there has been a problem with the old lights, which the contractor is working to resolve. "They're out there troubleshooting, but haven't been able to find out what the problem is," she said. In one location, the lights fizzled because "someone hit the median and knocked them out." But no one realized that initially, she said.
Q: Who paid for the commercial showing Mrs. Vicky Cayetano endorsing putting fluoride into our pure water?
A: The commercial was part of a campaign by the Hawaii Coalition for Better Dental Health, sponsored by the Department of Health and dental and health professionals.
The campaign is funded through a three-year, $219,906 federal grant -- the Maternal and Child Health Grant for Fluoridation Initiative, said Janice Okubo, spokeswoman for the state Department of Health.
This past year was the end of the grant period, she said.
Q: I am trying to find a musubi antenna ball for my daughter in college on the mainland. Do you know where I can get one?
A: Call 1-888-307-8157 or send an e-mail to dsgngrp@lava.net to reach Pam Seeney and Kim Kono, the pair behind The Design Group.
By day and trade, they make uniforms. They also ran a side business making linen apparel for seven years until they stopped that last year.
Deciding they still needed a creative outlet, the two went into a totally new direction, crafting foam musubis to prop atop your car antenna.
"Plain" ume musubis (rice "balls" with a red pickled plum in the middle) sell $5 a pair, while a hula musubi (with grass skirt and flower) go two for $6.
You can get a musume (young girl) musubi, with kimono and flower, with a suction cup for $5. Because of its paper clothing, it's meant to be placed on your computer or mirror.
Seeney said they'll be at upcoming craft fairs: Mililani High School, April 14; Okinawan Center, April 29; and Kuhio School, May 5. You can also mail-order the items, which will cost an extra $2-$4 for shipping and handling.
Mahalo
To the kind woman jogger and man in the white pickup truck who helped me push my stalled van off busy Manoa Road at 5 p.m., April 2. It was an uphill push and I really appreciated your help.Ron N.
Mahalo
I was at Restaurant Row on Tuesday, April 3, trying to buy coffee and a pastry. I got my coffee but couldn't find my money in my pocketbook. Lo and behold, the woman behind me paid for my coffee. Then she left a dollar on the side of my coffee. She wouldn't give me her name. Too often, we hear only bad things and complaints. I want to thank her for her gesture -- a kindness shown one human being to another. -- Mildred
Got a question or complaint?
Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com