Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: Regarding the Kaneohe Playground, they redid the moss rock wall in front and incorporated a handicap ramp. It looked like the work was finished, but now it looks like they are redoing it. Is this another city screw-up, or is this a problem with the contractor? Who is going to pay for it to be redone? If it is the city, how much will it cost taxpayers, and when will the work be done? Contractor will pay
for fixing ramp, wallAnswer: The rock wall and handicap-accessible ramp were completed at the end of last year. However, the city found that both the ramp and wall were "not constructed in accordance with the construction plans," according to Rae Loui, director of the city Department of Design and Construction.
The wall was built at the wrong elevation, which also threw the ramp standards off. The contractor is redoing the work and absorbing the cost for doing so, Loui said.
The new work is expected to be completed by mid-June.
Q: Where do you turn in vehicles that are polluting? Recently, I saw a small tour van putting out huge clouds of black, sooty smoke every time it accelerated. Where can we turn this in and have it checked? I called 911, and they said they don't handle this, that the state Health Department's Clean Air Branch is responsible. But when I called the outdoor clean-air people, they said they would handle the complaint about the tour van because it was a commercial vehicle but that if it was a private vehicle, I should call 911. What is the answer?
A: You should call 911 with as much detail as possible, said Honolulu Police Department spokeswoman Michelle Yu. That includes company name, license number, where you saw the vehicle, time, etc.
"It's best to call when the actual violation occurs because police can cite only if they see a violation," Yu said.
However, officers can still follow up since you have the name of the bus company and the bus number, she said.
You can also call the Clean Air Branch, 586-4200, to report a commercial or public vehicle that is identifiable by name, said Lisa Young, an environmental health specialist with the branch.
But "all we can do is send a letter," she said. "We don't have the power to cite, like police would."
Also, if it's a private vehicle, the branch has no authority to track down the owner via the license number.
Young said when you call 911, you should ask for a police dispatcher.
"If the dispatcher doesn't take (the information you have), ask for a supervisor."
State rules say there should be no visible emissions from gasoline-powered vehicles. Diesel vehicles, such as buses, are allowed five seconds of emissions from start-up.
Auwe
To the driver of a white truck going eastbound on the H-1 viaduct at the express Nimitz Highway exit (18a) at 6:05 a.m., Thursday, April 26. Speeding in the express shoulder lane, with only two people in the vehicle (a violation), he changed lanes at the end of the merge in front of me. I had to hit my brakes and change to the next lane to avoid an accident. Since I had to take the Likelike exit, I changed back to the lane where I came from. There was ample space for me to do this. But soon after, the truck driver sped up and followed me closely. As I approached the Likelike exit, he drove to the left shoulder lane, speeding up to cut me off again. I had to hit my brakes a second time. Then as he approached the merge, right outside the tunnel, he crossed the solid line to get in the right lane and sped off. Where are the cops when you need them? This driver got away with several violations. We don't need an idiot like him on the road. -- No Name(We passed on your letter and the license number to the Honolulu Police Department.)
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.
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