Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: Who is responsible for the upkeep of Waikolu Way in Waikiki? The potholes in the road are monstrous and a potential liability for pedestrians who often walk through this shortcut between Royal Hawaiian and Seaside avenues. Upkeep of Waikiki street
is owners’ responsibilityAnswer: It's a private street. In some cases, the city will provide maintenance to private roadways, but only if certain requirements are met.
In this case, Waikolu Way does not qualify for such service and, therefore, it's up to the private owner(s) to maintain it, said George Souza of the city Department of Customer Services.
To qualify for city maintenance, a private roadway must serve a minimum of six individually owned parcels and be open for public use, he said.
Waikolu Way serves only four parcels. Also, the owner(s) are controlling the roadway by placing "no parking" signs restricting public use, Souza said.
One way to find out who the property owners are is by going to the city's Web site, http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us/ and clicking on "Government," then "GIS maps and data."
The site does have this disclaimer: "Information shown on these maps are derived from public records that are constantly undergoing change and do not replace a site survey, and is not warranted for content or accuracy."
Q: I went to the Postal Connection in Kapolei to buy a stamp and was charged 5 cents tax for one 34-cent stamp. The lady said that was her business and she could charge whatever she wanted. I tried calling the post office but couldn't get through. Is that true?
A: The U.S. Postal Service and its vending machines are the only ones required to sell stamps at face value, said spokeswoman Felice Broglio.
Any other retailer selling the stamps can charge any fee and it is not unusual to have such a surcharge, she said.
"There is no regulation on what kind of fee they can charge" and it's up to you to decide whether, for convenience or any other reason, you're willing to pay it, Broglio said.
Meanwhile, Grace Park, owner of the Postal Connection in Kapolei, said the extra charge is not a tax but a service fee.
She said she tried to explain to you that she charges 20 cents extra for a book of 20 34-cent stamps ($7 vs. $6.80 at the post office) to cover the time and effort she puts in to buy the stamps from the airport post office -- considering it part of the operating costs of running her nine-year-old business.
Because you insisted on wanting only one stamp, you ended up being charged a higher-percentage fee.
Auwe
To all those who pollute our environment. During a recent Saturday-morning downpour, Kapalama Canal was displayed like a colorful lantern festival -- not with multicolored lanterns but with floating trash of every description in astounding abundance. The banks were also resplendent in colorful litter. It was enough to make we want to weep. I've written to the city fathers. We're polluting to death and no one seems to care. As kids many years ago, we were taught that patriotism isn't waving a flag but cherishing the earth, the water, trees, wildlife (including mosquito-eating birds) and respecting one's neighbor. What has happened to us? -- Rosemarie T.
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