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Kokua Line June Watanabe |
Handicapped spots gone
at federal buildingQuestion: I recently drove a friend who needs a wheelchair to the federal building on Punchbowl Street. When I pulled into the main lot the guard said that there no longer was any handicapped parking there. I asked if I could drop my friend off and park outside and was told "no." I ended up parking in the state parking garage, pushing the wheel-chair almost a quarter mile back to the federal building. I was told the building does not have to provide handicapped parking since they do not allow any public parking anymore.
It is clear that the terrorists have won and handicapped people who need services such as Social Security have lost. Don't federal accessibility laws require handicapped parking stalls near a public facility such as the federal building?
Answer: Because of stricter security measures following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, all public parking was eliminated at the Prince Kuhio Federal Building.
That followed the elimination of 26 parking spaces fronting the building on Halekauwila Street in 1997, after the federal building in Oklahoma City was bombed.
So, yes, terrorists have changed the way business is conducted at federal buildings, and many other facilities as well.
The state Disability and Communication Access Board has received many complaints from disabled people about the lack of accessible parking at the federal building, said Executive Director Francine Wai.
The board checked with the U.S. Department of Justice and was told that because a security issue is involved and because there is no public parking, period, "then they can do that," meaning not provide parking for the disabled, she said.
But because of the large number of complaints, Wai said her office was under the impression that the General Services Administration, which oversees federal buildings, was considering restoring parking for the disabled.
However, Bethany Rich, a GSA spokeswoman based in San Francisco, said there are no plans to reinstate public parking at the federal building because of continuing security concerns and restrictions.
"Since we are not offering public parking, we don't have any requirements to offer handicapped parking," she reiterated.
Auwe
To the dog owner that left the largest dog poop I have ever seen on the small beach just Ewa of the Natatorium and just makai of the Aquarium. I pulled papers from a trash can and picked up for them, but I was (blank blank) to think that it would have, at next high tide, gone into the water where I swim. Thanks for letting me get this off my chest. -- Disgusted Swimmer
Mahalo
To Colin Riley of Maaco Auto Painting in Pearl City for providing excellent service. It is great seeing this type of customer service in today's busy world. -- Blake D. McElheny/ Haleiwa
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