Question: I've noticed the Bluewater Seafood Lunchwagon at Kewalo Basin for several weeks now. Does it have a permit from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources to sell food from the harbor's parking lot?

Answer: It has a permit from the Hawaii Community Development Authority, which oversees development in Kakaako. The DLNR isn't involved in managing the area.

Although the development authority has held title to Kewalo Basin Harbor and the immediately surrounding lands since 1990, the Department of Transportation's Harbors Division had been managing the property.

But on March 1 the authority assumed operational control of the harbor and surrounding land. One of the “;historical amenities”; of the Kewalo Basin area was the variety of lunch wagons in the parking area, noted agency Executive Director Anthony Ching.

“;However, in recent times that feature of the harbor had disappeared,”; he said.

When Bluewater Seafood expressed an interest in operating there, the authority issued the company month-to-month permits for the two lunch wagons requested.

Ching said the short-term arrangement will allow both sides “;to assess the viability of re-establishing this type of service at Kewalo Basin.”; Either side can terminate the arrangement with 30 days' notice.

The agency has not yet established a limit on the number of lunch wagons/food service establishments that will be allowed in the area, he said.

“;Should this venue create interest from other vendors, the agency would be obliged to bid all available space out for a longer term,”; possibly 12 months, Ching said. However, if another vendor came along today, he said he believes there is enough space to accommodate another lunch wagon.

Question: What is the policy regarding animals, especially dogs, on public school property during the school year? Signs on adjacent public parks state, among other things, that animals are not allowed. Some parents or someone picking up children after school have been bringing their dogs on campus. Even if the dog is on a leash, it seems to be a dangerous practice.

Answer: Basically, common sense should prevail, and people should not be bringing their dogs on campus, said Randolph Moore, assistant superintendent for the state Department of Education's Office of School Facilities and Support Services.

The department's “;animal nuisance”; guidelines give principals the authority to post signs prohibiting animals, or dogs specifically, on school premises, he said.

“;As a practical matter, it's pretty hard to enforce 'no cats' or 'no birds' because of the nature of these animals,”; Moore said.

We asked what the situation is if there is no sign posted.

“;If there's no sign, dogs should still not be on campus,”; Moore said. “;If dogs become a problem, the principal will have to put up signs.”;

But he hopes “;common sense will prevail.”;

“;If we put up signs prohibiting all behavior that is inappropriate, we would have more sign pollution than already occurs: 'Don't spit.' 'Don't use the school for a golf driving range.' 'Don't pee in the bushes.' Where does it end?”;

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