Question: I thought that the state of Hawaii required that there be an operating dry-dock facility within the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor. It's been closed up now for almost a year with no activity apparent. What's the scoop?

Answer: The scoop is that the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, which oversees the Ala Wai harbor, put the lease for the dry-dock facility out to bid last year after canceling the existing lease to Ala Wai Marine Ltd.

The new lease was awarded in August to Honey Bee USA Inc.

The department's Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation is in the process of negotiating a development agreement with Honey Bee USA, said spokeswoman Deborah Ward.

“;We're supporting the developer's efforts to move the permitting process through the county approvals,”; she said, adding that the process “;is fairly complex, because this is waterfront property that is in the Waikiki Special Design District.”;

Ward said a dry-dock facility is not required at any of the state's harbors, but “;we're committed to continue providing those services, along with a fuel dock, at the Ala Wai harbor.”;

Ala Wai Marine was notified in October 2008 that its revocable permit was canceled “;due to unresolved lease and environmental issues,”; Ward said.

A request for proposals for a new lessee was then issued by the Boating and Ocean Recreation Division.

Asked what options boat owners have for boat repairs, Ward said it depends on the size and shape of the vessels, as well as the types of services needed.

She said there are four locations in the state available for “;haul out:”; Keehi Marine Inc., about four miles from the Ala Wai harbor, and Marisco Ltd. at Barbers Point Harbor, on Oahu; GKM Inc. in Kona on the Big Island; and Maalaea Harbor's self-repair services on Maui.

Question: Are city refuse truck drivers exempt from the hands-free cell phone law? I saw a refuse driver talking on the phone, while driving and picking up trash in the vicinity of Waipahu High School.

Answer: Refuse workers are not allowed to use their personal cell phones while on the job (or off it) driving. However, they are allowed to use their two-way radios, said Markus Owens, spokesman for the city Department of Environmental Services.

He pointed to Section 15-24.23 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, which says certain people are exempt from the law prohibiting talking with a hand-held cell phone or other mobile electronic device while driving.

Those exempt are emergency personnel using the device while on duty; drivers using two-way radios as part of their jobs (refuse workers would fall under this exemption, Owens said); and drivers with a valid amateur radio operator license issued by the Federal Communications Commission using a half-duplex two-way radio.

Auwe

To people who litter and the culture of litter we seem to have, despite all the talk about caring for the aina. We recently were in the Ala Moana Center parking garage, where someone had thrown four dirty diapers in an empty stall. Nearby were cups and other litter. It is just disgraceful how people litter here. There can be a trash can nearby, but they don't use it. A member of the City Council told me she saw a woman driving, with kids in the car, who threw a plate lunch out the window.—Nancy

Write to ”;Kokua Line”; at Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana, Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).