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Kokua Line June Watanabe |
Rocket-like device
found at Kaena PointQuestion: While hiking on the Leeward trail to Kaena Point, I saw a device protruding from the rocks. I did not want to investigate it more closely myself, even though it says "non-explosive" on it, not knowing exactly what it is. Please tell me who I should report it to. Also, any idea what it is?
Answer: Next time, call the Honolulu Police Department at 911 and officers can decide on what course of action to take.
COURTESY OF BRUCE BEHNKE, PACIFIC RIM PHOTOGRAPHY
This device with "NON-EXPLOSIVE" written on it was spotted protruding from rocks on the Leeward trail to Kaena Point.
In this case, HPD's bomb squad went to the site and determined the rocket-like device was a U.S. Coast Guard "positioning beacon." Officers "retrieved it, X-rayed it just to make sure it had not been modified ... then disassembled and disposed it without incident," said HPD spokeswoman Michelle Yu.
After viewing the photo you provided, Coast Guard spokeswoman Lt. Jacqueline Brunette said, "It looks like a really old Datum Marker Buoy," used in search and rescue operations.
A helicopter or airplane will drop the buoy into the water and relocate it several hours later, "obtaining real time data about the seas and currents to assist the search and rescue planners in locating where the people or vessel may have drifted to," she said.
The buoy gives off a radio signal and is "not explosive, hazardous or dangerous," Brunette said, adding that it's for one-time use only and there is no requirement to return it to the Coast Guard.
Q: What is the status of the North Kalaheo sewer project? It's been going on for a year or two, on and off, and supposed to go on for another two or three years.
A: We haven't been able to get anyone from the city, for weeks, to explain what's happening with the project. However, Pericles Manthos, of Manthos Engineering, will provide an update on the project -- and answer questions -- at tomorrow's Kailua Neighborhood Board meeting (7 p.m. at Kailua Recreation Center).
The $18 million project "is a little behind schedule," because of delays associated with buried material found in the road, but it hasn't stopped, said Manthos, whose company is construction manager of the project. "We've slowed down a bit because of the cement strike ... but we're looking in the next few weeks to do some major operations at Kainui and Kalaheo..."
He also noted, "People don't realize that we've placed thousands of feet of pipe underground. You just don't see that because it's micro-tunneled."
You can also get information at www.kalaheosewer.com/ .
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Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
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Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
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