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Sixth-graders need
2 buses for field trip

Question: We plan to take our sixth-graders to the Challenger Learning Center at Barbers Point Elementary School on May 12 and 13. We need to be there before the start of the first mission (to rendezvous with Comet Halley) at 8:30 a.m. This means a pickup before 8 a.m., which none of the school bus companies can do anymore. All school bus companies are transporting students to school before 8 a.m. The earliest any can come is 8:15 a.m. I have called charter bus companies and found that the rates are about $650 per bus for each day. As 85 percent of our students receive free or reduced lunches, paying $3 for a school bus to transport us is all most can afford. If we must charter a private bus each day, this would be more than $10 per child. I don't know how we will get our students to the Challenger Learning Center on time. Can any Kokua Line readers help or come up with a solution?

Answer: Here's hoping there's someone out there who can help these Central Middle School students make it out to Barbers Point for a memorable experience.

Sixty students need to be transported each day, which means two large buses -- one each day -- are needed, said Lee Takagi.

Please call her at the school, 587-4400, if you can help or have a solution.

Q: I recently dropped someone off at the Honolulu Airport's interisland terminal. When I was leaving to go back to Honolulu, I was driving 25 mph when I passed the main terminal and noticed that the speed limit is only 15 mph. I saw a patrol car, but wasn't tagged after slowing down to 15 mph. I think 15 mph is too slow and just as dangerous as going too fast. Why can't they raise the speed limit there to 25 mph?

A: State transportation officials say they'll consider raising the speed limit there.

The 15-mph limit at Honolulu Airport was based upon "the policy on geometric designs for highways and streets published by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials," said Scott Ishikawa, spokesman for the Department of Transportation.

However, he said transportation engineers have hired a consultant to see if the speed limit can be raised "or what operational changes we need to make to raise the speed limit."

The top priority is safety.

"We have to ensure that airport users, particularly those loading or unloading their luggage from vehicles along the roadside, remain safe," Ishikawa said.

Q: An empty lot near the corner of Kapiolani Boulevard and Kalakaua Avenue (across from the Convention Center and Hard Rock Cafe) is an eyesore because of overgrown weeds and bushes. Additionally, homeless people are sleeping under the bushes. What can be done to clean up this lot?

A: The property owner was cited last week and given 30 days in which to begin cleaning up the lot, said Russell Kaneshiro, chief of the city Housing Code Section.

For similar complaints, you can call his office at 527-6308.

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