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Kokua Line June Watanabe |
‘Walkway’ actually
for water workersQuestion: Could you please find out the status of a pedestrian walkway that was constructed over a stream several years ago at the corner of Kaahele Street and Moanalua Road? The walkway apparently was built to replace the sidewalk removed to provide another lane on Moanalua Road. Nothing has been done since the completion, and the walkway is inaccessible due to a chain-link fence. It is overrun with weeds. It appears that the city or state went through considerable expense for nothing.
Answer: It has taken us quite awhile to solve this mystery. Our inquiries initially took us to city and state transportation officials before someone from the state Department of Transportation pointed us to the Honolulu Board of Water Supply.
The "walkway" was never meant to replace the sidewalk, nor was it part of any road-widening project.
It is actually a waterline maintenance bridge built over the mauka side of Waimalu Stream about four years ago, according to Board of Water Supply spokeswoman Wanda Yamane. It was part of a 36-inch Transmission Main project for Moanalua Road.
Although the bridge is located within a waterline easement in the Transportation Department's right of way, it is owned by the Board of Water Supply and built strictly for its use to support and maintain the waterline over the stream, Yamane said.
"Both ends of the bridge are secured to deter pedestrian access and to prevent any pedestrian injury or accident on the structure."
Q: What are Social Security cards good for, once you know your number? I have had my card since the late 1940s and can't remember ever using it. I've gone through numerous employers, served in the military, obtained a passport and am collecting a pension as well as Social Security benefits. My friends chastise me for carrying it in my wallet all these years. It seems to me that employers, government agencies and other organizations that want your Social Security number never bother to look at a card.
A: The card is simply the document that shows a number belongs to you and "there is no need for (you) to carry that card around," said Christina Messner, public affairs officer for the Social Security Administration in Honolulu.
In fact, the Social Security Administration advises you NOT to carry it around and newer cards are imprinted with that advice.
"Do not carry it around, definitely, because there's a higher chance of it getting lost" by you doing so, Messner said.
She noted Social Security numbers are used to record earnings and to pay out federal benefits.
However, "some organizations or businesses may require you to provide verification of your Social Security number" as a means of identification and the card is one way to do that. Just make sure you show the card just at the time requested and not carry it around in anticipation that you may be asked to show it, Messner said.
It's up to you to decide whether to disclose a Social Security number -- it's not mandatory. "You have a right to question the purpose of it," Messner said, but added that the organization or business also may refuse to give you their service if you do not provide the number.
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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
