Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: I have a question about the recycling bins located at schools and shopping centers. What kind of paper can be recycled? Can glossy paper, like the type in newspaper ads in the Sunday paper be recycled? What about envelopes with windows? In the glass and plastic portion of the recycling bin, can we recycle meat trays and any plastic with a number in the triangular recycle symbol? Only certain materials
allowed in recycling binsAnswer: You can drop off newspapers, but not ad inserts or magazines; only white or colored office bond paper (strong, superior quality paper), but not envelopes, junk mail, tape, stick-on labels, rubber bands, etc., separately sealed in a bag or box; and plastic beverage bottles only -- rinsed, lids removed, crushed -- deposited loosely in the mixed containers section.
Also accepted at the community recycling bins are aluminum cans, cardboard (corrugated only), glass bottles and jars and telephone books (the latter only during Verizon Hawaii's telephone book campaign during the summer).
More detailed information is available at the city's Web site:
http://www.opala.org/recycling_at_home/what_n_where_recycle.html, or call the city recycling office at 527-5335.
Q: Who is responsible for trimming bushes on a sidewalk area? This is on the Diamond Head side of Houghtailing, between North King and Olomea. The grass has grown so tall in the big vacant lot there that it's hard to walk on the sidewalk anymore.
A: A notice was issued Feb. 11 to the private property owner in question to clean up the weeds on the lot and adjacent sidewalk area, said William Deering, chief of the city Housing Code Section.
The owner was given 30 days in which to clean up. Again, for similar complaints or to follow up, call Deering at 527-6308.
Q: My colleagues and I agree one of the most frustrating things is to get timely and accurate information from the Hawaii Employees' Retirement System. Written requests sometimes take a year or more to be answered. Printed handouts are very brief, making it difficult to calculate best retirement options. It would seem that the creation of an ERS Web page could easily contain all the pertinent documents and manuals, a comprehensive list of FAQs (frequently asked questions) and programs (including the ones the ERS staff use) for calculating benefits and options. With all the computer technology available today, why is this not happening?
A: A Web site has been in the works and should be up by the end of March.
The site will have ERS forms, brochures, answers to frequently asked questions, information on retirement programs, annual financial statements and actuary reports, as well as general information, said ERS Administrator David Shimabukuro.
Initially, you won't be able to access personal information, although you will be able to download forms. Eventually, the plan is to add a "benefit calculator," and further down the road, to allow members "to key in something and send it to us. That's on our long-range plan," Shimabukuro said.
Kaiser Correction
Kaiser Permanente Hawaii members all pay a 20 percent co-payment for blood. In the Feb. 26 Kokua Line, a spokeswoman incorrectly said Kaiser recently began covering the cost of blood for all members, except those on the State Health Fund Plan.
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