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Driver thought site
was for bulky items

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Question: On Sunday, Oct. 3, about 2:40 p.m., a truck stopped on Kaimuki Avenue across Crane Park and the driver dumped junk onto an existing pile of junk, made a U-turn, then sped away. Is there anything I could have done? At the end of Kapahulu Avenue, just before Waialae Avenue, people are dumping junk all over the sidewalk. It's a terrible eyesore. I realize people want to get rid of their household items, but they should do it in front of their own homes!

Answer: Whenever you see any illegal dumping, call police at 911.

In this case, Honolulu police Officer Herb Schreiner of District 7 located the owner of the vehicle with the license number you provided.

The owner "apologized heavily" and admitted to dumping two speakers and a couch, but thought it was a place where anyone could put their unwanted items for bulky item pickup, Schreiner said.

Since the speakers were in working condition and the couch was "in decent shape," he felt that they would be picked up by someone else, which they apparently were within a couple of hours, Schreiner said. "He said he wouldn't do it again," Schreiner said, adding this did not appear to be a typical illegal dumping case.

Schreiner said he explained to the truck owner that people should put unwanted items out in front of their own house for bulky-item pickup. "I gave him the rules and the phone numbers," he said.

In general, if you see someone illegally dumping trash, Schreiner said to call 911 immediately with as many details as possible.

In addition to calling 911, Oahu residents can also call the city's Environmental Concern Line -- 692-5656 -- to report illegal dumping and dumpsites, so the city can coordinate cleanups.

"We encourage island residents to be vigilant" of illegal dumping, said Suzanne Jones, the city's recycling coordinator. "Dumping is not just a eyesore for the community. The dumper is demonstrating a disrespect for the people who live in the area, for the environment, for our island home."

Mahalo

On Saturday afternoon, Sept. 25, on Kalanianaole Highway, near Castle Junction, my car rear-ended another vehicle. As I lay slouched down and feeling very light-headed, with my two dogs barking frantically, a man helped me out and onto the curb.

He asked if I was OK and used his cell phone to call my wife. He also apparently called 911 because the ambulance arrived within minutes. Now, here is a person whose car I had just hit and he was more concerned about my health than his car or himself! Not once did I hear him utter any derogatory remarks.

A few minutes later, an SUV pulled over and a complete stranger also came to my aid, offering to take me and my dogs home. It was very hot, and, sensing my dogs could get dehydrated, he also gave them water to drink. Even in this tumultuous world we live in, there are still some decent and caring people around us.

Mahalo, Noel Mock and Jerome and Dawn Nozawa. Whatever your future, whatever your destiny, with the hand of God, I know that you will find your purpose in life. -- Tom Tsuda

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