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Kokua Line June Watanabe |
Safe-driver project
still runningQuestion: Several months ago while picking up travel brochures from AAA, I was given an "Aloha Pace Car" sticker. Unfortunately, this safety program managed by the city Department of Transportation Services is incomplete after being announced in October, according to the city's Web site. The city promoted the sticker and Web site -- www.kamaainastreets.com -- for information, but after months the only information on the Web address is "coming soon." What's the breakdown?
Answer: We could not find out from the city administration exactly what the problem is, but were told a few weeks ago that the program is continuing and that paperwork for the Web site "is going through the system."
At last check yesterday, the words "coming soon" were still on the Web site.
The Department of Transportation Services kicked off the "Aloha Pace Car Program" Oct. 24 as part of "Red Sneaker Week," a walk-to-school program in 10 Oahu schools.
The idea was to promote safety by reducing speeding by motorists and encouraging children to walk to school in a safe environment.
The Pace Car program involved passing out 10,000 bumper stickers to drivers who pledged to drive the speed limit and to be courteous.
Funding came from the state Department of Health's "Healthy Hawaii Initiative."
Pace Car partners included the Kama'aina Streets Coalition and AAA. Red Sneaker Week was also sponsored by FedEx and the Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition/SAFE KIDS Hawaii.
Books wanted
For those looking to donate books, Voyager Charter School in Kakaako would appreciate children's books and magazines, as well as educational CDs for computers."We are a very new school, and our library is very small," volunteer Marilyn Halpern said. The school is looking for books in good condition for children in kindergarten to grade 7.
Halpern said the school also is looking for newer editions -- 2000 and up -- of the World Book or Britannica encyclopedias.
Books and materials that don't go into the school library are given to students to take home to start their own library. More than 600 books have been given to the children so far, Halpern said.
Donations are tax-deductible. For more information, call Halpern at 521-9770.
Auwe
I was coming out of the McDonald's Beretania on Saturday, April 17. There is a little crosswalk at the drive-through right at the back entrance. As long as I have been going there, I've seen very few cars stop to let customers cross to get into the restaurant. That morning, I witnessed an old man with a walker trying to cross, but a guy stopped his car right on the crosswalk. The old man asked him to back up, and the driver said, "What's your rush, can't you wait to go around?" I told the old man to let McDonald's know they should put a stop sign in front of the crosswalk so idiots like that will have a little more respect for the elderly. I hope the driver will not have to use a walker or cane when he gets old. -- Concerned Middle-age Person
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Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
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