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Agriculture, DLNR
monitor alien plants

Question: On the H-1 freeway, just before Exit 3, westbound, I saw several large clusters of alien vinelike plants growing on the right bank. I have seen this type of plant on the mainland, and they are considered very undesirable parasitic plants to be eliminated as soon as possible. I tried to call it to the attention of a couple of state and federal agricultural staff but couldn't get anywhere. Perhaps I didn't know the right office to call. Those of us who want to keep invasive plants out of the islands would appreciate greatly if you can help.

Answer: We asked the state Department of Transportation if this was something it would monitor and was told that identifying and removing invasive plant species generally doesn't fall under its jurisdiction.

However, a spokesman said the Transportation Department would work closely with the state departments of Agriculture and Land and Natural Resources to address the problem "should it encroach onto state roadways."

In this case, transportation officials weren't clear about the location of the plants you cite because there is no H-1 Exit 3 westbound.

Highway inspectors checked the H-1 freeway between Exits 2 and 5A/B, as well as Exit 3 (Puuloa Road/Tripler Hospital) on the Moanalua Freeway, but did not find any of the plants you described, the transportation spokesman said.

Nor did they find the invasive tall, flowering bush beardgrass that's become a problem in Halawa Valley and parts of Windward Oahu, he said.

If you can pinpoint the location, and if the inspectors are able to locate the plants, they'll contact the Department of Land and Natural Resources for help.

In the future, here are the numbers to call to report invasive plant or animal species:

Department of Agriculture, 586-PEST (7378); DLNR, 587-0164; and Oahu Invasive Species Committee, 286-4616.

The Invasive Species Committee has been working to control the bush beardgrass.

Q: I have a 1960 Wurlitzer jukebox that needs servicing, but after searching the island, I haven't been able to find anyone who services these antiques. Do you know of anyone who does?

A: Any readers have a name? If so, please call "Kokua Line" at 529-4773 and leave a message.

Q: What happened to Wo Fat Restaurant at Maunakea and Hotel streets? I heard they moved to the Empress Restaurant in the Cultural Center.

A: Wo Fat Restaurant closed years ago. The Empress Restaurant occupied the second floor of the Wo Fat Building for a while, before moving to the Chinatown Cultural Plaza and reopening as the New Empress Restaurant.

Mahalo

To Roy, an inspector with the city's motor vehicle office. I called about an abandoned vehicle in March. Roy said the vehicle at Dominis and Punahou streets was legally junked and would be towed away. A couple of weeks later, it was. -- T.I.

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