Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: On Dec. 3 there was a water main break at the intersection of Fort Weaver and Renton Road. After it was repaired, the road was patched, and now it is not as it was before. Fort Weaver Road had been repaved within the last few weeks. Who is responsible for repaving the road after the work is done, and why is it that the crew that patches the road did not do it properly the first time? It is bumpy and will eventually get worse. Wouldn't it make more sense to do it right the first time instead of coming out again to do the job over? Could you please find out whether they will redo the patch work? Fort Weaver roadwork waits
until the dust and road settlesAnswer: Repaving was to start today.
Because it was a broken water main, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply was in charge of repairs. After the main was fixed, agency crews did a temporary patch on the road surface, said spokeswoman Wanda Yamane.
Permanent repaving was not done immediately for several reasons. One was that emergency repaving would have extended into rush-hour traffic, creating additional problems for motorists and residents, Yamane said.
Ground settlement was another concern.
"BWS crews excavated about 10 feet down in order to repair the broken main," Yamane said. "If the roadway was repaved immediately, ground settlement would cause enough damage to the finished surface that it would be necessary to repave again to correct the settlement."
Complicating the repaving was the need to check with the state about any special requirements for traffic lanes in the area, she said.
Yamane said supervisors expedited the procurement of a contractor to do the permanent repair. Alakona Corp. has been contracted to do the repaving.
"Our maintenance personnel will check to ensure that the paving is being done as scheduled," she said. "We appreciate the patience of residents and drivers during this interim period."
Q: There is a lamp post that sticks out like a sore thumb on the sidewalk on Kamehameha Highway, eastbound, at the end of the bus stop curb in front of the Home Depot parking lot. While the other posts seem more safely positioned on the fence side of the sidewalk, this one appears dangerously close to oncoming traffic. Can you check?
A: The state Department of Transportation says the positioning of the light pole meets its standards for urban areas, which is a minimum 12 inches from the roadway. For rural areas the clearance required depends on the road conditions.
Calf-roping finals
Did anyone tape the national rodeo finals? We would like to make a copy of the ninth round of the calf-roping segment, shown on ESPN on Saturday evening, Dec. 15. If you can help, please call 536-0802. -- Tammy
Mahalo
To Prudence Brede of Oceanic Cable. Blustery winds on Dec. 13 suddenly plunged the Nuuanu area into darkness. When power was restored an hour later, I commenced working, resetting electrical appliances, clocks, etc. After struggling unsuccessfully to redeem service to our digital TV, I finally called Oceanic at 9:45 p.m. Prudence Brede, on the phone, patiently guided me step by step in pushing buttons that seemed so strange. At long last, eureka! Sight and sound emerged. Bravo. -- M.C.
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