Kokua Line June Watanabe

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State working to remove derelict vans

Question: Why are two derelict state Department of Health vans left as health hazards and eyesores at the Windward Health Center adjacent to the tennis courts of Kaneohe District Park? They've been there for at least three years.

Answer: The Health Department is aware of the vehicles and is working to have them removed from the center's property, at 45-691 Keaahala Road.

"The Department of Health would like to apologize to the Windward community for the ongoing eyesore and would like to assure the public that the matter is being attended to," said spokesman Bryan Cheplic.

In fact, the condition of all the department's facilities is being looked at "to address any concerns regarding upkeep, maintenance and overall sanitation," said John Messina, newly appointed as the department's capital improvement officer.

"We understand that both the internal and external maintenance of our facilities is a concern for not only the public, but our employees as well, and we are working very hard with the proper departments and divisions to address these concerns in a timely manner," Messina said.

If you or other members of the public have any questions or concerns about other Department of Health facilities, call 586-4560.

Q: Are taxicab or limousine drivers exempt from paying parking meters? I was in Waikiki recently at around 4:45 p.m. For residents and tourists who have to deal with driving in Waikiki, parking is at a premium and hard to find.

After searching for 10 minutes, I found a metered stall on Olohana Street, between the Ala Wai and Kuhio Avenue. I noticed that there were five white limousines also parked along Olohana -- all of the meters for each of these cars was expired. The last car was taking up two metered stalls. The drivers were in this car, apparently playing cards. When I returned about 30 minutes later, all five cars were still parked at the expired meters. I bear no ill will toward these people, but I find it annoying and unfair that regular citizens have to search for parking and struggle for enough change while this happens.

A: Next time you see this, call police at 911, advised Capt. Frank Fujii, spokesman for the Honolulu Police Department.

HPD oversees the city's parking enforcement section.

Cab and limousine drivers "cannot be hogging the stalls" and are required to feed the meters like everyone else, he said. They have not been given a permit to reserve the stalls.

Mahalo

To a Mr. Daniel who works at the Checkers Auto Parts store in Kaneohe. I had made a purchase on Saturday, Jan. 14, and must have forgotten to put my ID card into my backpack. I called the next day to see if the store had it. He said he did and to come and pick it up. Thank you, again, Mr. Daniel. You light up my day like bright Hawaiian sunshine. -- Mike Nomura