Question: My wife and I were awakened at 1:15 a.m. on a recent Friday by men in hard hats on the Ewa side of the federal building, pounding with hammers on metal pipes. It was so loud that other residents facing the source of the noise came out on their lanais. It’s a direct line of sight, and sound really carries with everything so quiet at that time of the morning. My wife is home recuperating from major surgery, and I am her caregiver, in addition to working six days a week at my regular job. We’re both in our 70s and we need our sleep. Is this work permitted because the work is on federal property? How much longer will the project continue? It seems as if it’s gone on forever. Some nights and early mornings the work is not so loud and almost acceptable, but this was just plain rude and totally out of character at 1 o’clock in the morning. Are they not working during the day due to the disruption it could cause federal workers in the building?

Answer: The Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse has been undergoing a $121 million renovation to modernize major building systems while remaining fully occupied, said Traci Madison, regional public affairs officer for the General Services Administration.

Although some work occurs during the business day within and around the building, heavy construction is limited to after hours between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., she said.

The contractor’s work hours are normally between 5:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Madison said the GSA did obtain a nighttime work permit from the state Department of Health.

The permit prohibits demolition and foundation work between 6 p.m. and 9 a.m., while structural steel framing work (erecting and welding steel parts) is prohibited after 10 p.m., she said.

Outside work — on the security pavilion and plaza — should be completed by August, Madison said. The overall ongoing project is targeted for "substantial completion" in October.

Asked whether there was any way to mitigate the noise, Madison said, "GSA will continue to monitor the contractor noise threshold levels and will take corrective action as required."

As for the project, she explained that the 32-year-old building is undergoing a comprehensive replacement of the core mechanical, electrical, fire-safety and plumbing infrastructure.

Most of the air cooling and circulation systems will be replaced while major upgrades are being made to the electrical power systems, alarm systems and other safety systems. New ceilings and lighting will be added in many parts of the facility, while restrooms and plumbing will be extensively renovated.

One goal is to reduce energy consumption by 30 percent and attain a silver designation under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program, Madison said.

Auwe

To the over-middle-age woman parked in the lot behind JJ Pastry and Bistro in Kaimuki. She opened the door of her white sedan with full force to get into the back seat, loudly banging the side of my new, 6-month-old car while I was still in the car. Then her son came by to reopen that same door and unnecessarily banged my car loudly again. This family is too rude for words. I did not say anything to them, being it was Mother’s Day. What happened to being respectful of other people’s property? Who is to blame if children go around and behave uncivilly in society?

— Considerate Mom

Mahalo

To the two people who found and turned in my coin purse, which I lost on a Wednesday, and my wallet, which I then lost on the following Friday. I am humbled and overwhelmed by the integrity and good will of people: the person who turned in a yellow coin purse containing my house keys and cash at Shirokiya’s customer service desk and to the person who found and left my wallet at the Ala Moana Center customer service desk. You saved this senior a lot of stress in not having to replace a bus pass, driver’s license, credit cards, etc.

— Grateful Senior

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