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Kokua Line June Watanabe |
Comments spur cleaning
for Honolulu Airport
Question: I believe that the state is responsible for the cleanliness of Honolulu Airport. But you do not see custodians working or cleaning the airport. They clean the toilets, yes, thank you, but sweeping or mopping the lobbies, no, thank you. The floor is so dirty. I've been to other airports, and by comparison, our airport really needs a good cleaning. Can't the state do something about this?Answer: It already has.
State airports officials found your criticism right on the mark.
"We walk the floors every day and never notice skid marks and dullness," acknowledged Deane Kadokawa, assistant airport district manager for Honolulu Airport.
However, "we recently redefined our floor maintenance program to address the poor condition of our floors and started with the Interisland Terminal floors," he said, "and will work our way towards Diamond Head."
You should be able to see the difference already on the Hawaiian Air end of the terminal, he said, adding that the new floor maintenance schedule should keep our floors "clean and shining."
Meanwhile, workers are completing a scrubdown of the airport's 119 restrooms and the public will see more signs of the custodial crew's presence.
"I'm very proud of our janitors and floor maintenance staff because they do a good job for the airport," Kadokawa said. "Unfortunately, I haven't been asking for feedback from our users and employees and therefore haven't provided the staff with adequate direction."
For example, he said, one thing they've learned is that although the terrazzo tile floor doesn't require much maintenance, when it's buffed and waxed, it looks "brand new. We intend to keep it that way by routinely buffing and waxing."
Kadokawa and Davis Yogi, the state airports administrator, wanted to assure the public that their feedback and observations are not ignored.
"It's an airport system that we want everyone in this state to be proud of -- one step at a time," Yogi said.
Q: In an auto accident, sometimes there are lots of glass fragments left on the road. Is someone responsible for cleaning up the fragments? Is it the police department?
A: Whatever tow company called to respond to the scene of an auto accident is responsible for clearing up any debris left on the roadway, according to Sgt. Robert Lung, of the Honolulu Police Department's Traffic Division.
Officers at the scene may sometimes help in cleaning up, he said, but the general responsibility is with the towing company contracted by the city or state to handle such towaways.
However, if you still see debris after everyone has left the scene, call 911 and police will contact the responsible agency, Lung said.
Mahalo
To the four men visiting Oahu from the Big Island, who assisted a woman in need of changing a flat tire on Keeaumoku Street on Sunday, June 1. The roadside assistance service took one hour and 45 minutes to respond, but they changed the tire in five minutes -- happy to help and not wanting a financial reward. Lucky we live Hawaii. -- No Name
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Useful phone numbers
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