Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: What department is supposed to maintain the landscaping at the Kunia Interchange? Residents of Village Park, Royal Kunia and Waipahu town have endured construction of the interchange and supposed landscaping of the area. But where is the maintenance? Sprinklers go on daily to water tall weeds that have taken over the offramp area. The onramp is also overgrown with weeds. It really is an eyesore. By comparison, the six-foot shoulder area of the interchange, Ewa-bound, seems to be maintained. Is this the only area that will be maintained? It just seems common sense that when money is spent to landscape and supposedly beautify an area that it be maintained. Some say Kunia landscape is
a sore sight for the eyesAnswer: It may seem like weeds to you, but to the state Department of Transportation, it's all part of a multiyear plan to "renaturalize" the nearly 30-acre interchange site.
The idea is "to make it seem as if no massive earthwork or grading had ever occurred and to minimize maintenance," said transportation spokeswoman Marilyn Kali.
The problem is that a permanent source of water is not available to irrigate the area, and the Transportation Department does not have the resources to maintain an additional 30 acres of ornamental landscaping, she said.
The Board of Water Supply allowed the Department of Transportation to have an irrigation hookup only after promising it would be temporary.
Also, Kali said, the commitment to renaturalization was critical in getting federal approval of the project. The concern was the Department of Transportation's ability to maintain such a large area.
Some background: Building the ramps required a lot of grading. To achieve a natural appearance, small "pu'us (hills)" and "cattlewalls" were constructed; boulders were strewn randomly; and swales were lined with rock to resemble stream beds. Drought-tolerant grasses, trees and shrubs, many of which occur naturally in the area, were planted.
"Once these plantings are sufficiently established in a few years time, the watering will be gradually reduced to the point where no watering will be required," Kali said.
A strip of ornamental ground covers and shrubs was planted next to the ramp as a fire break.
In time, what you'll see is a natural-looking "wild" landscape intended to blend into the surrounding hillsides, Kali said.
"When the rains come in the winter, the interchange will turn green with the rest of the surrounding landscape," she said. "When the summer comes it will turn brown, also with the rest of the hillside."
Q: I believe there are tax evasion scams going on in Chinatown, where the vendors purposely understate their income. I think this should be investigated and would like to know what agency to call.
A: "We very often get calls like this," Annette Yamanuha, spokeswoman for the state Department of Taxation, said about your comments.
Sometimes the information can just be taken over the phone, or you will be asked to fill out a special form "to report noncompliance," she said. Call 587-4242. You can remain anonymous.
Such complaints or tips are forwarded to the audit department for investigation, Yamanuha said.
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