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Kokua Line
June Watanabe
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Painted path generated confusion, officials say
Question: Was there a crosswalk across Hekaha Street connecting the Pearl Harbor bike path? The bike path is in the area behind Best Buy and Cutter Ford at the makai end of Hekaha Street. The path abruptly ends, then continues across the street. We seem to remember a crosswalk connecting the two sides that disappeared after repaving.
Answer: The bike/pedestrian crossing was there, but it won't be repainted onto Hekaha Street, at least for now.
It sounds counterintuitive, but officials believe it's safer for everyone without a painted crosswalk there.
After Hekaha Street was repaved, the city Department of Transportation Services decided not to restore the crossing. Apparently, some bicyclists perceived that because of the painted crossing, they had the right of way.
"What they should be doing is coming to a stop before proceeding across Hekaha Street, but some bicyclists were observed to continue across Hekaha Street with only minimal or no slowing," said Transportation Director Wayne Yoshioka.
Even though motorists are warned with existing "Bike Crossing" signs posted in advance of the bike/pedestrian path in both directions on Hekaha Street, "this is a dangerous and undesirable maneuver," he said.
Officials felt not having the painted crossing would make both bicyclists and pedestrians more cautious when crossing Hekaha.
Meanwhile, Yoshioka's department is re-evaluating this and other bike/pedestrian crossings, looking at ways to make bicyclists slow down as they approach a street.
He said the actions under study must conform to accessibility requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act and not cause a hazard for bicyclists.
"We believe that if we are able to identify a practical action that satisfies ADA and maintains safety for bicyclists while slowing them at crossings, we will be able to restore the painted crossings at Hekaha Street and other streets that interact with bicycle/pedestrian paths," he said.
We were unable to find out how many crosswalks are being surveyed.
Q: There has been a large Dumpster parked in the street in front of a property on the same street as mine for more than a year now while the owner has been renovating his house. Is there any law or ordinance governing the length of time that a Dumpster can occupy a parking space on the street?
A: A permit should be obtained before placing any kind of trash receptacle on the street.
You can call the city Department of Transportation Services' Street Usage Section at 768-8387 to check whether a permit has been issued.
If no permit was issued, the department will follow up with the Dumpster's owner, said city spokesman Bill Brennan.
However, if the container is posing a safety issue and it is after working hours, he advised contacting the Honolulu Police Department.
Call 911 in that case.
Got a question or complaint? Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210, Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered. E-mail to
kokualine@starbulletin.com.
See also: Useful phone numbers