Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: I have tried numerous phone numbers to get through to the proper city office in order to determine why the Salt Lake satellite city hall van is not coming to the Salt Lake Shopping Center on Wednesday mornings. I checked with security, Safeway and Longs Drugs and got the same answer from all. The van has not shown up for over two months and no one knows the reason why not. Can you help determine what happened? Ill drivers stall mobile
Salt Lake city hallAnswer: The mobile satellite city hall assigned to the Salt Lake area has been immobilized because of the health problems of both the main driver and her backup.
The driver has been ill and the backup driver has had recent surgery, said Carol Costa, director of the city Department of Customer Services.
The 40-foot van has been able to make its once-a-week visit to the center only twice in the past two months, and it is uncertain when the service will resume, she said.
In the meantime, Salt Lake residents are asked to go the Pearlridge satellite city hall, located in the Uptown Pearlridge Shopping Center, which is open six days a week. Call 483-3405 for information.
The problem is that mobile satellite city hall drivers require a Type 3 commercial driver's license, and not many city employees are willing or qualified to drive such a large vehicle, Costa said.
Also, the higher priority for those mobile offices are in areas like Laie and Haleiwa, where residents would have to travel further to obtain city services. By comparison, the Pearlridge and Kalihi-Kapalama satellite offices (Kapalama Square, 1199 Dillingham Blvd.) flank the Salt Lake community, Costa said.
Q: A few months ago going south on Fort Weaver Road, the city roads division put up some expensive signs just before you get to Child and Family Services. The signs say "no vending or parking," yet people are there selling corn, fish and puppies. I think the signs should be taken down if the police are not going to enforce the law.
A: Officers are aware of the vendors and have issued several warnings that appear to have cleared up the problem, according to Honolulu Police Department spokeswoman Michelle Yu.
If you do see vendors there or at any other prohibited area, call 911 and "an officer will respond," she said.
Mahalo
To Mike. On July 7, I was driving with my wife from Makaha to Kaiser Moanalua Hospital, where she was scheduled for surgery to replace her pacemaker. Just past the Kapolei exit, my van blew out. I coasted onto the shoulder of the highway. My wife and I, both in our 80s, were not exactly helpless but certainly impaired by age and not having a cell phone. I did not know what to do. I waved for someone, anyone to stop. After several minutes, someone did stop. I explained our situation and he said, "Don't worry. I'll help you." He picked up my wife (125 pounds) and carried her to his car; came back and helped me get my things and to his car. He told me to call him "Mike." At the hospital, Mike didn't wait for the attendants and picked up my wife, carried her to a wheelchair and made sure her feet were on the footrests. I thanked him and he gave me his card. My wife passed away on July 16. I would like the world to know of this kindly man, who came along when we so desperately needed help. The name on his card is Michael Suan, Bekins Hawaiian Movers. -- James A. Cook
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