Kokua Line June Watanabe

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Call police to report assault by bus driver

Question: Last year, a bus driver, when there was only one passenger, a lady, on the bus, tried to fondle her. It really scared the lady. He put a lot of pressure on her and she did not turn him in. The same lady rode the bus again and the same driver was driving the bus. He approached her again and tried to make out with her. I think something needs to be done so women will not be intimidated, especially at night when there are few passengers. Why doesn't TheBus set up some system to protect the passengers from sexual encounters?

Answer: If anything like this happens again, police should be called immediately.

You did not leave a name or contact number, nor any details about the route or driver.

Oahu Transit Services, which operates TheBus system, said that you or the woman involved should do two things immediately:

File a police report, then contact OTS' Customer Services Department at 848-4500, providing the date, time, bus route and number, description of the driver and details of the incidents.

The Honolulu Police Department can then investigate, while OTS can launch its own internal investigation, said OTS spokeswoman Michelle Kennedy.

"We hope that this rider will contact us and give us specific information to investigate the matter," she said. HPD and OTS can then work together and take whatever disciplinary action is warranted, she said.

Kennedy pointed out that safety is everyone's responsibility.

"If people on TheBus see something or experience anything that may be criminal in nature, they need to report it so appropriate action can be taken," she said. "Bus rider safety is always foremost in our minds and behavior of this nature perpetrated by a bus operator is not tolerated."

Auwe

To two women in a gold-colored station wagon who were seen on Saturday, Feb. 18, dumping a bucket of who-knows-what at the Moleka trailhead, on Round Top Drive. -- No Name

A: Next time you see anyone in the process of illegally dumping anything, the city advises calling 911 to make a report, giving the license plate number and description of the vehicle involved, as well as a location or street address.

According to the city's Web site (www.opala.org/illegal_dumping_and_littering/ illegal_dumping_and_littering_main.htm), "illegally dumped wastes are primarily nonhazardous materials dumped to avoid disposal fees or the time and effort required for proper disposal."

The Coalition to Stop Illegal Dumping was formed in 2003 to collaborate on projects to keep the environment clean, including developing an inventory of dump sites, coordinating cleanups, educating the public, and working on legislative and enforcement actions.

For more information or to join the coalition, e-mail info@opala.org, call 692-5410 or complete a form available on the Web site.