Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: At Ala Wai Boulevard and McCully Street, there are two right-turn lanes going mauka onto McCully. Why is a red stoplight there when this is where the mauka-direction traffic on McCully Street is starting? It is not to protect pedestrians, as there is a crosswalk button there. This button does work when pushed. It can't be because of other traffic, as there is none in any other direction. Why is the city stopping cars from turning right for no apparent reason? Yes, you can turn right from the right-hand lane after stopping, but why even stop at all? All it does is back up traffic onto an already busy street. McCully-Ala Wai
stoplight provides
pedestrian safetyAnswer: The city Department of Transportation Services said traffic signals now at that intersection are necessary to provide pedestrians with a protected phase so they can safely cross the two right-turn lanes.
However, Transportation Director Cheryl Soon said the department will evaluate the possibility of modifying the traffic signals to provide a separate right-turn phase, which will allow right turns except when the pedestrian button is activated.
"This would facilitate the right-turn movements from Ala Wai Boulevard by providing more opportunities for the right turn while still maintaining a protected pedestrian crossing phase when needed," Soon said.
Q: I read Sunday's column about federal funding for the city's proposed bus rapid-transit proj/ect. But when are hearings going to be scheduled for the final environmental impact statement for the BRT? I participated in the draft EIS and didn't think the project was going to go very far because they are going to be condemning lanes wherever they go and taking them out of service. They haven't really calculated the impact of all the displaced vehicles on the rest of the traffic.
A: A hearing on the city's final environmental impact statement is expected to be held early next year. No date will be set until after the city submits the report to the state Office of Environmental Quality Control, which is expected to be in February.
Auwe
To the cruel female in the silver, covered-truck-bed pickup that so callously deserted three young cats at the end of Aawa Drive at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18. Did you really think that the half can of cat food you left made up for your being inhumane? May someone you depend on desert you someday. -- DisappointedIt is against state law to abandon any animal in Hawaii (Hawaii Revised Statutes, Section 43-2.6). Next time, call the Hawaiian Humane Society at 946-2187, ext. 280, to report an animal that you believe was abandoned. Someone who abandons an animal would be guilty of a petty misdemeanor.
"Identifying the person who has abandoned an animal is necessary," said KT Haase, publications coordinator for the Hawaiian Humane Society. If you witness such an act, make note of the date, time and place; description of the vehicle involved, including license number; and "especially the person's description and what they were wearing," Haase said.
She said if you had called in your complaint to the Humane Society or police, "we would definitely follow up."
Meanwhile, Haase said people can bring homeless animals to the Humane Society shelter, which is open 24 hours a day to receive animals. There is no charge.
You can find out more about the Humane Society at www.hawaiianhumane.org.
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