Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: Several years ago, the state planted palm trees and hedges along Lagoon Drive. It was quite beautiful and, I'm sure, of some expense. In the past several months, however, they've just let the landscaping go. At least six to seven palm trees on the lagoon side have died, and most of the grass has died, although there are tufts of grass coming up through the cement sidewalk. Along the airport side, the hedges are overgrown and protruding onto the sidewalk. I talked to someone from the state and was told that they contract out the maintenance to a private company, but the company was not doing a good job, so they are now looking for someone else. But in the meantime, why can't someone from the state take care of it? It's a waste of money to let everything just die. I think there is something terribly wrong with this situation. Lagoon Drive will enjoy
a new beauty makeoverAnswer: It should start looking better along Lagoon Drive.
A new landscaping contractor was hired last month and has already begun improving and maintaining the area, according to Stanford Miyamoto, manager of the state Department of Transportation's Oahu District Airports.
"The state had contracted with a landscaping company in previous years and decided not to extend the contract about four months ago because of poor performance," he said.
The new contract is for two years and will cost about $90,000 the first year, Miyamoto said.
Q: It would be nice to know what the restrictions are now for picking people up from the airport. We know that we cannot go to the gate. What are the restrictions at baggage claim? Can we stop at the curb to load the bags? Are we allowed to wait at all? If we call to find out the landing time, will we be able to estimate the amount of time it will take for the passenger to collect their baggage and meet us on the curb?
A: State airport officials advise people picking up arriving passengers to park, then walk to the baggage claim area to meet arriving passengers.
No one is permitted to greet passengers at the gate anymore. Although active loading of baggage is allowed at curbside, no one is allowed to park at the curb to wait for someone.
In fact, the advice is for arriving passengers to gather their luggage, then call family or friends to pick them up.
Taxis, rental car vans, airport shuttles and hotel vans are still available to arriving passengers outside the baggage claim areas.
As for parking, all vehicles entering the parking facility are subject to search (including opening the hood and trunk), so drivers are "urged" to clean their vehicles, including the back seats and trunks, to reduce the time to pass security. At some state airports, you may be required to present a photo ID before parking.
Mahalo
To the Waipahu Post Office employees who helped me unlock my townhouse mailbox. --- Z.E.
Mahalo
To those Department of Education personnel responsible for providing playground equipment to our public elementary schools. They are trying to do their best to get the equipment to the schools, as soon as possible, even in this difficult fiscal time. -- Roy E. Shigemura
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