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Asphalt sinks below
concrete over time

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Question: Have you noticed that the regular pavement (black asphalt) most of the time does not adequately meet for a smooth transition to any and all concrete structures on our highways/streets? The best example is on Moanalua Freeway by Fort Shafter and Moanalua Gardens. Don't the specifications ever address this?

Answer: The state Department of Transportation finished resurfacing the town-bound lanes of Moanalua recently, so that side of the freeway you mention is "now matching up," according to spokesman Scott Ishikawa.

Workers are now proceeding to resurface the other direction.

In general, the problem of the asphalt and concrete "not matching up happens gradually over the years," Ishikawa said. The asphalt tends to depress over the years from the weight of the vehicles.

Auwe

To the driver of a yellow school bus who on Sunday, Aug. 8, blocked the only mauka lane on Old Pali Drive, while female passengers were allowed to exit and linger around the front of it while four cars waited behind. As it was on a curve, passing was not only dangerous, but unlawful according to the message printed on the back of the bus. After waiting several minutes without any sign that anyone was moving, I honked my horn and moved very cautiously around the bus, only to find the crowd appearing to be gearing up to take a hike. The driver ignored me when I said it was a dangerous spot. Auwe to the "ladies" who started getting sarcastic with me, too. I question the judgment of whatever organization they belong to and the bus company that hired the driver. I certainly hope that none of them are ever put in charge of children, since they don't seem to have any common sense or basic road knowledge or, for that matter, class. -- Anonymous

(If the bus was not involved in a school function, then it was parked illegally.

(If you suspect that's the case, you should call the Honolulu Police Department: "We can always follow up with the company if they leave the scene prior to arrival to counsel them," said Maj. Susan Ballard, of HPD's District 5.

(If the bus was being used for any type of school function, then it would be "unlawful for anyone to pass the school bus in either direction," she said. But the bus is required to be clearly marked with black letters saying "School Bus," and large round flashers (not emergency brake light flashers) would have to be on or flaps on the side of the bus must be out with the flashers activated, she said.

("If the bus was just a rental that was not being used for any type of school function, then the bus driver was in the wrong," Ballard said. He or she should have found off-street parking to load and unload.)

H-3 clarification

There are no scenic turnaround points on the elevated, Halawa/Koolau portions of the H-3 freeway, but there is a scenic overlook at ground level at the Kaneohe end, just before Marine Corps Base Hawaii, clarifies Scott Ishikawa, spokesman for the state Department of Transportation.

In yesterday's "Kokua Line," we said there are no scenic overlooks along the H-3.

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