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Kokua Line June Watanabe |
Mail without postage
should not be in boxQuestion: Recently, I found an envelope (without postage) inside my mailbox from my village association. Is it legal, other than the postmaster, for anyone to open my mailbox? With mail theft on the rise in the Windward area, is there a phone number that I can report such incidents to?
Answer: Since you belong to the association, your first step might be to just contact the officers and let them know your concerns, as well as what the U.S. Postal Service regulations are.
The regulations don't speak to opening mailboxes; rather, they say that items without postage should not be put in mailboxes, explained Lynne Moore, manager of consumer affairs for the postal service in Hawaii.
"We do have instances where that does happen," she said, such as when a local business puts advertising flyers in neighborhood mailboxes.
Moore said in those kinds of cases, just contact your postal station, which can then advise the business "that it's not proper to do that."
It doesn't matter if the originator is a community organization.
"The intent is to limit access to the mailbox, simply because (the mailbox) is meant for mail and mail is a very important thing," Moore said. You can take the letter and envelope down to the nearest post office (or call (800) ASK-USPS to find out the telephone number), "and we can pursue it."
But if you or other residents "are unhappy with receiving nonmailed items from their association," Moore suggested just voicing your concerns with the association, since it is supposed to be representing you.
Newspapers also are not supposed to be placed in mailboxes unless they have been mailed.
Under postal regulations, Moore said a tube or newspaper holder can be attached to the support posts of a mailbox. But she emphasized that the container is supposed to be separate from the mailbox and should not be attached directly to the mailbox.
That all said, mail theft is a more serious matter. If you suspect mail theft, Moore said to call 423-3790.
Q: Regarding construction on Kinau Street: How long can the contractor keep the "no parking 7 a.m. to 4 p.m." signs up on the street? Can they keep the signs up for as long as they want or is there a time limit?
A: Street permits for construction work are issued a month at a time and can be renewed until the work is completed.
In the case you cited, city records show City Construction received two permits -- one from August to September and the second one for the month of December -- while building a home.
The company has not asked for a renewal, officials said. If you have a complaint, call 523-4381.
Q: Is the Star-Bulletin still publishing opera reviews? I was not able to find a review in Saturday's or Sunday's paper.
A: As you've probably discovered, the review of "Otello" ran Monday. Reviews will be running the Monday following an opening because of space limitations in the weekend news sections, Star-Bulletin features editor Nadine Kam said.
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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