Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: Is there a law prohibiting the scattering of a person's cremated remains in our remote city or state parks and trails? What laws govern
cremated remains?Answer: Cremated remains are not allowed to be scattered within a state forest preserve or watershed area or on state or federal property.
Generally speaking, you don't need a permit from the state Department of Health to scatter such ashes on land, sea or from the air, but it should be done discreetly and some distance away from the general public.
You can scatter ashes on private property, with the owner's permission, of course.
For more information, call the Health Department, 586-4540.
More words on birds.
Our columns last Tuesday and Wednesday on what to do with nuisance birds prompted some interesting responses.Sylvia Israel used to feed birds three times a week in an empty lot in her Salt Lake neighborhood.
"But I wised up when they followed me to my home," she said. "I could tolerate the rest of the birds, but not the doves. They are a nuisance, they mess all over the place, they lay three eggs at a time, and they make noise from 5:30 in the morning until dawn.
"I agree. Don't feed the birds. Let them fend for themselves."
June Tom says she enjoys birds and is a member of the National and Hawaii Audubon societies, "but the mynah, sparrow, pigeon and dove population is definitely out of control."
She thinks "the city needs to embark on a public service campaign to educate people not to feed the birds."
Steve Oda, owner of the Garden House, says he is "inundated" with inquiries from people, many of them apartment dwellers in Waikiki, about how to get rid of nuisance birds.
"People want to buy poison to kill them, but we tell them that's against the law," he said. "A lot of different solutions do work, some of them temporarily, depending on how diligent the dweller is."
Although another expert said he doesn't like to use "Tanglefoot," Oda said the newer version of the product "does not trap the birds. ... It irritates them to the point where they feel discomfort and they don't return.
"Usually, if you discourage them from roosting, they go find someplace else."
Oda also said that birds are afraid of being watched, so inflatable scarecrows, owls and snakes seem to work, while many apartment owners opt to use thin nylon netting, which he says is virtually invisible.
Another reader directed us to Bird-X Inc., which advertises itself as "bird control x-perts" in business in Chicago since 1964. Bird-X says its policy is "to provide nonlethal, nonharmful, environmentally safe and ecologically sound products. We regularly receive referrals from the Audubon Society, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and the Animal Damage Control division of the USDA."
Our reader says, "I installed Bird-X spikes on my lanai railing; since then not a single bird has landed on my lanai."
You can get information at www.bird-x.com, by calling 800-662-5021 or by faxing to 312-226-2480.
Auwe
To a music and video store that advertised on Father's Day for "Tomb Raider." I went in but it was not available. They did not give me a rain check but asked for my name and number. When I checked three weeks later, it had come in but no one called me, and it's no longer available. The store made no substitution and had the nerve to tell me to try to get it through another store. -- Mike(File a complaint with the state Office of Consumer Protection, 586-3222, or the Better Business Bureau of Hawaii, 536-6956, if you believe there was deceptive advertising.)
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