Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: What is or where do I find the Makiki Post Office's phone number, as well as the station manager's name? Navigating the Postal
Service phone systemAnswer: The Makiki number is 532-5689 and Bert Takahara is the station manager, said U.S. Postal Service spokeswoman Felice Broglio.
If you call the centralized postal number given in the phone directory -- 800-275-8777 -- you can get the numbers for individual stations by maneuvering your way through the various menu options.
We first pressed option 7, then option 2, then gave the zip code for the Makiki district. In turn, the automated response gave us the station's address, hours of operation and telephone number.
Broglio acknowledged that many people don't stay on long enough to get the right option. Asked why the station numbers aren't just printed in the phone book as in the past, Broglio said the idea is to have to the automated call centers "take most of the calls." That's because surveys have shown that 80 percent of all calls are from people seeking general information: hours, zip codes, etc.
If the automated system is able to answer those questions, "then stations won't be bogged down" by having to take the calls, she said.
Most stations don't have people assigned just to answer the phone.
"Before the call centers went in, the phones were ringing all day long" at individual stations, Broglio said.
However, if you have a specific complaint about a station or something is wrong with your mail delivery, you will be referred to your district station.
Initially, operators would connect callers to a specific station, if requested, Broglio said, but "there was a problem with that with time zones and hours, so they changed it to a menu (system). If you follow the phone menu, you will get the phone number (you want)."
Q: About two months ago I called the state Department of Transportation to report that the green "Nuuanu Pali Road" sign that hangs over the right Kailua-bound lane of Pali Highway at the Waokanaka Street intersection is only being held in place by two of the four straps. It is a hazard to both pedestrians and vehicles.
In fact, in the early 1990s, I saw a driver coming from Old Pali Road onto Pali Highway drive into a post on the opposite side of the highway when three straps on the Waokanaka Street sign failed, causing it to swing down while still being held by the last strap. That driver was trying to avoid being hit by the sign and instead drove into the sign post. I'm afraid that the Nuuanu Pali Road sign could similarly fail. Can you help getting this resolved?
A: The sign was repaired yesterday, soon after we passed on your concerns, according to DOT spokeswoman Marilyn Kali. She said the DOT was unaware of your previous call, but thanked you for bringing it to its attention.
Auwe
To all those ninnies who use the Kaimuki Library parking lot, stick their large cars in spaces marked "compacts" and even overpark into the adjacent spaces. -- L.C.
Got a question or complaint?
Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
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Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
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