Kokua Line
Kokua Line
I just got a $25 ticket for doing what a councilman and another person were doing outside Honolulu Hale. They were parked in a red zone. What's up with this? Are there two sets of standards -- one for them and one for everyone else? Yes, double standard
on parking does existYes, there are two standards.
City department heads and Council members have special street usage permits from the Department of Transportation Services to park in red-zoned areas and for free in metered parking stalls when they are on official business, said city complaints officer George Souza.
Parking along Punchbowl Street, adjacent to Honolulu Hale, would be considered parking incidental to their jobs, he said.
The passes don't extend to staff and don't allow them to park in tow-away zones, red-zoned bus stops and in front of fire hydrants, Souza said.
My wife and I just moved to an apartment near Makiki District Park and are impressed by all the community activities there, from children's soccer to hula classes. Where can we get information on the various groups that use the park and its facilities? Also, I noticed a petition at the volunteer-run library there seeking the release of funds set aside by the Legislature but held up for some reason. What is the status of the funds? Whom do I contact if I wanted to help set up a Web page for the library's hours and various needs?
Recreation directors Susan Yamasaki or Spencer Yee can fill you in about the various activities at Makiki District Park. Call 522-7082.
The Makiki Library opened 22 years ago, when the city took over the old Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association Library after the state refused to put a library in Makiki. So, unlike other public libraries, it is not part of the state system.
Although the city supported it for years, city funding dried up in July 1996. However, it has operated rent-free at Makiki Park, which is under the city Department of Parks and Recreation.
The operation today is truly a people's library, relying on volunteers and donations of books and money to survive, said Ellen Williams, president of the Friends of Makiki Library Inc.
The state Legislature did approve a $40,000 grant in 1997, but it was tacked onto the Department of Education budget and not released, Williams said. It's not likely it will be released.
The Friends are not giving up, but "we are very much in need of donations, books and whatever we can get," Williams said. "Any help will be appreciated."
Call the library about the Web page, donations or to volunteer at 522-7076. The library is open 1-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 2-5 p.m. Sunday.
To Aloha Stadium. I went to the swap meet and parked, with a number of others, in a certain area. There was no sign or barrels to prevent this. When I came back, I found a parking citation, plus barrels and sign. I am a law-abiding citizen and I did not go past barrels to park. There should be clearly marked signs that cannot possibly be moved, then put back by someone else. -- No name Auwe
To the driver on the H-3 who helped my daughter in a most trying time, when she had a flat tire on the night of March 24. He was so gracious in putting the spare tire on, then left without her getting his name. -- Evelyn C. Mahalo
To the employee on the ambulance crew who helped Mrs. Howe in her time of need after watching the festival parade March 15. -- Forrest Howe Mahalo
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com
