Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: On Likelike Highway leaving Kaneohe going toward Honolulu, there is a HUGE dip in the road just makai of the Kahekili Highway intersection. This dip is getting deeper. Are there any immediate plans to correct this other than posting a reduced-speed-limit sign for 35 mph and the DIP sign? Note: Prior to completing this roadwork as a part of the H-3 project, it was rumored among the Kaneohe residents that the Castle Hills subdivision did not expand to this area because of a sinkhole. This dip in the road gives more credence to that rumor. Growing dip on
Likelike under
state investigationAnswer: Apparently, the state Department of Transportation is just as concerned about the little dip becoming a big dip.
The Highways Division recently sent surveyors to monitor the area and provided the results to a laboratory for analysis, said spokeswoman Marilyn Kali. "We are waiting for the lab to submit its findings and a recommendation on how to solve the problem."
She said a report was expected in the next few weeks.
As for sinkholes in the area, "We don't know if the dip is caused by a sinkhole," Kali said. "The evaluation is still going on."
Q: How widespread is the practice of Realtors asking for and getting a fee for doing credit checks on rental applicants? It seems that they need only check the credit of their top rental prospect(s), but Realtors appear to be keeping the fee from all applicants. From what I hear, the fee is anywhere between $25 and $65. Is this shared with the owner of the home/apartment?
A: Whatever the practice is, it'll probably become more widespread because of the events of Sept. 11, said Calvin Kimura, executive officer of the state Real Estate Commission.
There is no regulation regarding what fee a real estate agent can charge and keep, he said. Whether those fees are shared with the rental owner is something that should be discussed between the two parties in their agreement.
What the real estate licensing law does require is upfront disclosure of any fee, Kimura said, allowing the applicant to negotiate that fee or decline to pay it and walk away.
He also noted that the Landlord-Tenant Code specifies that once a rental agreement is signed, no undisclosed fee can be tacked on.
An agent may be paying an annual fee or paying for a certain number of credit reports per month with a credit bureau, Kimura said.
Or, say a credit bureau is charging $25 for a credit check. The agent may tack on another $5 or $10 because their time is spent trying to get that report.
It's hard to say what the situation may be, Kimura said. "What we expect of (real estate agents) is to provide at least a notice to the applicant that they will have to pay for a credit report."
Because of Sept. 11, Kimura said he expects to see "a lot more security measures by a lot of people, including Realtors."
Free tree
To any nonprofit organization willing to cut and cart it away: free Hawaiian pine tree, about 20 feet tall, Salt Lake area. Call Conrad, 277-0364.
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