Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: KHON-TV gives their address at 88 Piikoi St., but that's where 404 Piikoi used to be before the old building was demolished. How come the change in address number? If a business can do it, can an individual? Who names the streets
and assigns addresses?Answer: Taking your second question first, the answer is yes, but only if certain criteria are met, as was the case with the Hawaiki Tower, where KHON is housed.
The city Department of Planning and Permitting's Permit Issuance Branch is responsible for assigning street addresses.
In general, before being assigned any numbers, a street has to be officially named or recognized by the city, said branch chief Ralph Asai. (To have private streets recognized by the city, developers must go through a "street resolution" process and have the names checked and approved by Asai's branch.)
Once a street is officially recognized by the city, numbers are assigned sequentially, he said. They don't have to be consecutive, but they must be in sequence, low to high.
For north-south streets like Piikoi, "The low number starts from the shoreline and increases towards the mountain," Asai said. The numbers are odd on the left (as you face mauka, in this case) and even on the right.
For the primary urban area, Nuuanu Avenue is considered the point of reference for numbering streets running east-west. For example, King Street going Ewa from Nuuanu Avenue is considered North, with the low number starting at Nuuanu; going Diamond Head, it is designated South, with the low number again starting at Nuuanu.
The numbering is not that easily figured out in newer subdivisions, such as Mililani and Makakilo, Asai said. While still using general principals, such as odd numbers on the left and even on the right, the staff takes into account existing streets, side streets versus main streets, etc., he said. "There is some judgment," Asai added, but there also is a method.
Those are the basic guidelines.
In regards to Hawaiki Tower, you're right that the property initially was designated 404 Piikoi. However, at the time the area was being redeveloped, the property owner asked that the address be changed to a two-digit number and specifically requested the number 8, Asai said.
"Under our address policy, we can make changes to an assigned number," he said. Generally, there are two requirements: one, the change would make the number easier to read and remember and two, there are religious or cultural reasons as to why someone does not want a certain number.
In the case of Hawaiki Tower, Asai's staff looked at the numbering sequence across the Piikoi Street. In that case, there was no problem, because the whole area is taken up by Ala Moana Center, which has 1450 Ala Moana as its address.
On the adjacent, makai side of the tower is a condominium building, with 1350 Ala Moana as its address. The numbering sequence for Piikoi thus begins with the Hawaiki Tower.
With the number change, the only odd thing, Asai said, is that the adjacent, mauka building has a much higher number: 430 Piikoi. "But it's still within the (required) numbering sequence."
So, after looking at all the factors, the change was approved. "If we can accommodate (changes), we will," Asai said.
The only query received "early on" about the change from 404 to 88 Piikoi came from postal service officials, who wanted to make sure the city hadn't made an error, he said.
Q: Why do they close the streets around a building or a house that has a letter that may have anthrax in it? Our street had an anthrax scare and the street was closed for most of the day, and on Tuesday they closed some main thoroughfares like King and Bethel. I don't want you to think that I am in any way complaining, as I know the police and fire crews are doing a fantastic job during an incredibly difficult time. I was just curious.
A: When responding to a hazardous materials call, the Honolulu Fire Department requires crews to establish "exclusionary zones" -- hot, warm and cold, explained Wayne Nojiri, HFD's assistant chief of fire operations.
For the general public, the safe area is the cold zone.
"Every hazard, be it explosive, chemical or biological, has specific distances for each zone," Nojiri said. "Preparing for the most severe hazard is a priority," he said, and the safety of area occupants and first emergency respondents, as well as the general public, has to be taken into consideration.
The on-scene incident commander determines whether there is a need to block off large areas. As hazards are eliminated, the perimeters and zones are reduced.
"To err on the side of safety is a prudent procedure" that HFD encourages, Nojiri said. "We ask for patience and understanding for the procedural inconvenience."
Auwe
One afternoon on the H-1 Freeway going East, just after the Waialae onramp, a red service truck was speeding. I needed to exit at the next offramp at 6th Avenue, so changed lanes to the right. The truck tailgated me for a good 120 feet, then continued in excess of 90 mph to the East. If you decide to speed and tailgate, at least cover the name of your company. You had no reason to drive as you did. Learn by other accidents in that area. -- Jon(We passed on the license number to the company.)
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