Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Police officers have
discretion with sirensQuestion: Why are police officers allowed to use their sirens just to get across a busy intersection when there is no apparent hazard to response to? I've seen that happening on several occasions at Kaonohi Street and Moanalua Highway. They tend to use their sirens to get across the intersection because they've missed the green light. Is that appropriate? I don't think so -- it can cause many accidents. Is the Police Department aware of this?
Answer: Without details, Honolulu Police Department officials can only give a general response, basically that it may not be readily apparent that officers may be responding to an emergency.
Officers may use their sirens intermittently "if they are responding to a situation in which they need to get there immediately but don't want whoever's involved in a crime to know they are responding," said HPD spokeswoman Michelle Yu.
For example, a burglary in progress. In that case, "You don't want your siren on all the time because they'll know you're coming," but you want to use it to expedite getting there, she said.
That all said, if you suspect an officer is abusing his powers or committing a violation, you're advised to call HPD's Internal Affairs Division, 529-3286. However, you need to provide specific information, most importantly the license number of the police vehicle and time, date and location where you witnessed the alleged violation, Yu said.
Q: Are any of those grocery delivery services I heard about a while back still around?
A: Two years ago, there were three in Honolulu for people to order groceries -- mainly online -- for delivery.
Now, there is one. Akamai Grocery Service (www.akamaigrocerysvc.com) takes orders by phone or fax (590-2048) or e-mail (akamaigrocerysvc@aol.com) for delivery to the downtown Honolulu to Hawaii Kai area.
The delivery fee is 17 percent of the total grocery bill.
"We recommend scheduling a delivery time one to two days in advance," said co-owner Jackye Peacock. "We deliver Monday-Friday either in the morning between 9 and 11 or in the afternoon between 12 and 3."
Akamai does not handle alcoholic beverages, and payment, by check, VISA or MasterCard, or cash, is due on delivery. It shops at Costco, Times, Star Market, Foodland, Safeway, Daiei and Longs Drugs.
Foodland has an online Food to Go service, but there's no delivery. Customers shop online at foodland.com for pickup at the Beretania or Ewa Town Center stores only. Payment is by check or VISA, MasterCard, American Express or JCB. A $4.95 pickup fee is charged for each order.
A spokeswoman said there is no plan to offer a delivery service, mainly because it would be too costly.
Mahalo
To a good Samaritan who helped us on Labor Day to move our car on the side curb along Nimitz Highway by Ala Moana Park. We thanked him, but I did not get his name. I'll pray for him to have strength to help someone who is in need of help. Thank you, whoever you are, including your daughter, who was waiting for you. You have a big heart. God bless you! -- Mrs. P.
Useful phone numbers
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.
E-mail to kokualine@starbulletin.com