By June Watanabe Question: We were pleased when the recycling centers started accepting non-HI-5 glass bottles. However, I was dismayed that the 60 pounds of glass bottles garnered only 60 cents instead of the $2.40 I was expecting. The payback has been reduced to 1 cent a pound. Did officials overseeing this program approve this reduction?
By June Watanabe Question: My New Year’s week issue of New Yorker magazine was delivered almost half torn off and missing. It looked like the state of Louisiana. It was in a plastic bag with a note from the post office saying that these things happen. I threw it away and considered it a loss. Was there any recourse? Shouldn’t they have returned it?
By June Watanabe Question: When will the destroyed public boat ramp at Ko Olina be replaced? Doing so was a requirement of original issued permits for the development.
By June Watanabe Q: After months and months of "steel plates," Ala Moana Boulevard (Atkinson to Kalakaua) was resurfaced for APEC. Why is Ala Moana once again being demolished? Now the beautiful road before and after the Hobron intersection has been dug up and covered with steel plates again
By June Watanabe Question: Why did they close Beretania Street so long for the parade for the fallen police officer? They closed it for almost 40 minutes. They also closed Alapai. The whole area was messed up for almost 40 minutes.
By June Watanabe Question: As a longtime resident of Kailua, can you tell me what happened to all the ducks on “Duck Road” (Kai­nui Drive) in Kailua? There were literally dozens of ducks, all sizes and varieties, and overnight they disappeared.
By June Watanabe Question: Twice in the last few months, the H-3 tunnel has been closed during morning and evening rush hours for drain cleaning, with one lane closed all day in one direction and then the other.
By June Watanabe Question: Is it true that if you have solar panels placed on your home, you would receive a property tax exemption from the city?
By June Watanabe Q: Is there a way to find a map or list of all the beach access sites on Oahu or at least the North Shore? I was going to check out a fishing site I had been to a couple of years ago and found that the path I used before was blocked and had a sign that basically said that it was private property and not to trespass. This path is in between two homes with fences on each side, so I found it hard to believe that it was not a public beach access point, especially since there weren’t any access points due to all the homes on this street.
By June Watanabe Question: I live in a condo and found a fourth bird that has died on our premises. Can you provide the number to call when you find dead birds to test for bird flu?
By June Watanabe Question: What is the date of this year’s primary election? I understand that it has been changed compared with other elections. Also, what is the date of the general election?
By June Watanabe Question: I was at Kahala Mall recently and saw a decorative lamp (not merchandise) in the window of a store. I was taking a photo of it with my iPhone from outside when a member of mall security came up and told me I couldn’t take the photo.
By June Watanabe Question: I walk the grounds of Iolani Palace daily and am very concerned about the banyan trees, which were, according to O.A. Bushnell’s “A Walking Tour of the Iolani Palace Grounds,” planted by Queen Kapiolani between 1882 and 1886.
By June Watanabe Q: I discovered a wine not available in the islands, called the winery and had them ship me a case via FedEx. I wanted to share it with my son on Kauai, so packed a few bottles in the Styrofoam case I received and took it to UPS Kahala. They said I could not send wine between islands?
By June Watanabe Question: Will you please inform your readers that several of the federal tax forms and publications are not yet available at the Internal Revenue Service office?
By June Watanabe Question: If a bicycle is operated on a sidewalk, can the bicyclist ride in any direction, or must the bicyclist ride in the same direction as the vehicular traffic on their side of the sidewalk?
By June Watanabe Question: We have trapped five or six cats on our property and taken them to the Hawaiian Humane Society.
By June Watanabe Question: I stopped by the Liliha library and noticed there were computers for Internet access. Why can’t Wi-Fi be provided to other users who bring their own laptops or iPads? The price of a Wi-Fi router is less than $100.
By June Watanabe Q: I’ve been a volunteer teacher of Vietnamese language for young kids at Makiki District Park since April 2010. I registered as a nonprofit organization so I would not be charged a fee for using the room once a week for two hours. In December I tried to renew the monthly permit, and I was told that I had to pay $15 an hour or shut down my class. I did not receive any public notice. As a volunteer I do not collect a penny from the kids. The parents work hard and spend extra time bringing their children to the class. For the community this is a healthy activity, and it should not be charged any fees. When did this policy start? Is there any exception for a nonprofit organization?
By June Watanabe Question: My mother bought Dole pineapple juice in a 46-ounce, non-aluminum can from Longs. She was charged the HI-5 recycling fee, plus a 1-cent handling fee. Although the can is clearly marked “HI-5,” it could not be redeemed through our local recycler.
By June Watanabe Question: I keep getting mail addressed to someone who does not live at my address. What should I do?
By June Watanabe Question: On the Monday evening after New Year's, as I drove into our valley in East Oahu, I saw something in the sky. At first I couldn't tell what it was, because it was almost stationary and orange-looking. I then realized it was a floating lantern, made of paper, with a flame that makes it float.
By June Watanabe Question: It’s been quite a while since the lights went out on the Nim­itz bike path. I seem to remember the state Department of Transportation saying they’d be back on by the end of 2011. Is there any new information, since the lights are still out?
By June Watanabe Question: I've been watching the national news, and there's a lot of controversy about whether photo IDs should be required to vote. It did make me wonder what we have here in Hawaii. I've always had a picture ID and used it. They always ask for it, but I'm not sure whether it's required or if it's just a convenient way to establish your identify or to find whether you're on the voting register.
By June Watanabe Question: Nearly every day, I receive requests in the mail for donations from various nonprofit organizations. What kind of budgets do these groups have for solicitations?
By June Watanabe Question: We had to pay a fortune to bring our pets into Hawaii through quarantine, so I was quite shocked that President Barack Obama brought his dog, Bo, into Hawaii without going through quarantine. I didn't see any animal control officers at Hickam when he came in and am wondering, can he ignore the law just because he's the president?
By June Watanabe Question: We enjoy driving and hiking through Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden, which was designed and built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide flood protection for Kaneohe. Over the past year, I have noticed a strange plant that is filling and choking the canal that comes out of the reservoir.
By June Watanabe Question: I’m having trouble with my phone lines. I called Hawaiian Telcom and was told that the earliest a technician could be at my house is Feb. 14!
By June Watanabe Question: I am an electric vehicle owner and was recently at Costco Waipio, where I noticed seven "Electric Vehicle Parking Only" stalls spread throughout the parking lot. Most were occupied by gasoline-powered vehicles, including a Toyota Prius, which is not an "EV." What is the penalty for non-EVs parking in these stalls?
By June Watanabe Question: Can you please help in checking into what the government is doing about those white "cow birds" that seem to be everywhere on the island?
By June Watanabe Question: Where can a person find a list of homes that get the big property tax exemption for being "historic homes" so we can view them?
By June Watanabe Question: It's nice to have birds, but we have a neighbor who feeds birds twice a day. It is becoming a major nuisance. I have contacted the Hawaiian Humane Society, which referred me to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, which said there are no ordinances to protect us against inconsiderate neighbors. What other resources do we have?
By June Watanabe Question: While walking along Ala Moana Boulevard fronting Kewalo Basin, I noticed that the sidewalk is periodically stamped "WPA 1939.
By June Watanabe Question: Is the dog licensing bureau late in sending out renewals this year? Our dogs' licenses expired on Dec. 31, and we have yet to get renewal forms in the mail.
By June Watanabe Question: How do you calculate the savings for a water submeter in a single-family home? The Board of Water Supply seems to require special permits, etc., all of which are costly.
By June Watanabe Q: How can I designate my tax money to support manger scene displays at Honolulu Hale and not the ones that don't honor the real reason we celebrate? • Q: What is the process for requesting the installation of an audible street signal?
By June Watanabe Question: On Sunday, Oct. 30, we were headed east on the H-1 freeway at night and suddenly found the road coned off from about Tripler hospital to Kinau Street.
By June Watanabe Question: After many months the "pavement strengthening" work on the H-1 freeway, eastbound from Kaimuki to Kahala, has now moved to the westbound lanes. However, they did not finish the final smoothing step on the eastbound side, near the Waialae Avenue offramp.
By June Watanabe Question: Last week on the Channel 2 news, it was reported that crossing the street in a crosswalk while the orange light counts down is illegal. I think most people feel otherwise, believing that the countdown tells you to get across before it reaches "0."
By June Watanabe Question: What's up with signs saying "Ahupua‘a Wai- he‘e," "Ahupua‘a Waiahole," etc., along the Windward Coast? What a waste of money. Most local people wouldn't even know what the signs mean. We have enough signs as it is.
By June Watanabe Question: We recently visited our son at his condo in Salt Lake and parked in one of six stalls reserved for visitors. When we came down an hour later, we were surprised to see our car hooked to a tow truck. We asked the driver to unhook our car and we would pay the charges, but he said no, that we had to pick it up at Sand Island.
By June Watanabe Question: Is there anything that can be done about neighbors with roosters? They crow when it is still dark and they crow sometimes for 45 minutes straight.
By June Watanabe To whoever stole the laptop belonging to humorist David Sedaris. I attended his show at the NBC Concert Hall on Nov. 22 and was sad and angry to hear that the house he was renting was broken into and his laptop and other electronic equipment stolen. Whoever took his possessions should return them or will no doubt receive major "bachi" (bad luck/karma) on them and their loved ones.
By June Watanabe Question: Who is responsible for cleaning up the perimeter of the Beachwalk Street sewer project site? This small block is in the center of Waikiki between Royal Hawaiian Avenue, Seaside Avenue, Aloha Drive and Manukai Street.
By June Watanabe Question: Over the summer, Maunawili residents were subjected to constant helicopter noise. The helicopters were working for Hawaiian Electric Co. First it was five days a week, then seven days a week, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
By June Watanabe Question: I have to renew my driver’s license soon and am wondering, will the state be changing its driver’s licenses by the end of the year to meet the requirements of the REAL ID Act? If so, will I have to pay extra fees?
By June Watanabe Question: What's with the motor vehicle registration renewal notices? I recently received a notice, then just found out that they supposedly undercharged me, so I have to pay more. Is that true?
By June Watanabe Question: When did Hawaiian Telcom decide to stop taking cash payments? • When someone complains about someone driving recklessly or, for example, when someone complained recently about a baby not being secured in a car seat the advice is to call the Honolulu Police Department at 911. What actually happens to those calls?
By June Watanabe Question: My family received three checks worth $18.04 each, through the mail, from the Foreign Currency Fee Litigation Settlement Fund, based in Philadelphia. We have no connection to this organization. Is this a scam?
By June Watanabe Question: When are the hot water heaters for city recreation centers/swimming pools going to be repaired or replaced? It is a problem in several recreation centers and has been so at least since last year.
By June Watanabe Question: Recently, I was following a sedan in which a woman held an infant on her lap in the backseat.
By June Watanabe Question: I live in the Halawa area where our green bin hasn't been picked up for over a month. Meanwhile, they missed the blue bin pickup twice already. What happens to the drivers when they don't make their rounds?
By June Watanabe Question: Do the people who enforce violations of cars parked in handicap stalls have the authority to issue tickets for other violations? On Oct. 25, cars at the University of Hawaii-West Oahu campus were ticketed for various violations.
By June Watanabe Question: Would you please find out why, after more than eight years, some of the streets in Mililani Mauka have not yet been turned over to the city and county?
By June Watanabe Question: My father, a decorated World War II 100th Infantry Battalion veteran, died in 1995. We were told that Punchbowl had no available burial plots. He was buried at the Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe without honor guards or the playing of taps.
By June Watanabe Question: Is the state Department of Health or the federal government spot-testing fish sold here for radiation exposure due to the meltdown of the Fukushima nuclear plant following the March tsunami/earthquake in Japan — in particular, fish known to migrate to Japanese waters?
By June Watanabe Question: Is it unlawful to post a “For Sale” sign on a private automobile when parked on a public street?
Auwe to a speeding police officer and the Honolulu Police Department
By June Watanabe Question: The city's reference center next to Mission Auditorium has been closed to the public for some time. Will it reopen? What will happen to the materials and archives if it doesn't reopen? Where should the public go if they need access to these records?
By June Watanabe Question: What can I do to stop health care companies on the East Coast from calling at 4:30 a.m. and waking the sleeping household, or during the day when I’m busy caring for my grandson?
By June Watanabe Question: I just returned to Hawaii from a leisure trip. I am at wits' end as TSA has lost at least five of my combination locks over the past few years. Twice this year they have forgotten to put my locks back on. I tried to file a claim, but it was denied, because they said I couldn't prove I locked my lock.
By June Watanabe Question: Perfecto Engineering and Construction Services was contracted by the city to do construction on Lokahi Street, behind the Boys & Girls Club and Washington Middle School.
By June Watanabe Question: Why are most of the roadside emergency phones out of order on the H-3 freeway? I am assuming the H-3 phones are out of order because they are either covered with a trash bag and/or the signs have been turned into each other so that they are no longer visible.
By June Watanabe Question: How would you call 911 on behalf of someone else in another city/state? For example, your child is going to college in another state and he needs emergency help but calls home. How would you do that?
By June Watanabe Question: Regarding the APEC road restrictions, we need to go to Honolulu Airport between 9 and 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 13, from East Honolulu. What is the best route to go to the airport during the time they expect road closures on the H-1? It will be a big problem for everyone.
By June Watanabe Question: What is the state law regarding sea walls? There is a house on Lanikai Beach that recently dumped a large pile of lava rocks (not cemented together) on the shoreline to prevent erosion. They also cemented a pathway over a portion of these rocks. None of it looks like it was done with state approval or permit.
By June Watanabe Question: The city owns Mauna Lahilahi Botanical Garden in Makaha. So why is there a large white wooden cross placed at the top of the hill? It should be removed as not appropriate due to the numerous religions in Hawaii.
By June Watanabe Question: I've noticed a small park in Waimanalo with concrete stools and tables that's been closed off with orange fencing, adjacent to 41-435 Kalanianaole Highway. It's an odd place for a park since there's no parking and the property is so steep. Was it built for a specific group of people? Who will maintain it?
By June Watanabe Question: I have a concern about the war memorial at Punchbowl and South King streets, which was just renovated. They painted over the names of the war dead engraved at the base of the memorial.
By June Watanabe Q: I recently visited the Korean and Vietnam War Memorials on the state Capitol grounds and was taken aback by seeing cardboard sleeping material and trash belonging to homeless people strewn along the memorials. Can anything be done?
By June Watanabe Question: Park users at Kanewai Park on Dole Street have been having problems finding parking because a number of University of Hawaii students and mountain bikers are parking there. Can something be done to monitor the parking more efficiently for park users?
By June Watanabe Question: I was trying to get in touch with OC16 to find out why the Farrington-Kahuku football game wasn’t going to be shown.
By June Watanabe Question: I have been a volunteer at the Hawaii Kai Dog Park for four years, and I have to thank the city for a wonderful area for our dogs to run. All was great until a large green sunken rubbish container was recently installed at the front of the park.
By June Watanabe Question: Now that Aulani has moved into Ko Olina along with Ihilani and all the other time shares and condos, will the public no longer have access to the lagoons and beachfront there? As it was, parking was limited to a handful of spaces, further discouraging use of beaches there by locals.
By June Watanabe Question: On Saturday, Oct. 8, we were without power from before 10 a.m. until about 4 p.m. When we called the Hawaiian Electric hot line, there was no information on any outages.
By June Watanabe In Thursday's "Kokua Line," someone asked whether there was any recourse after a judge fined her $197 for allegedly violating the pedestrian crossing law. When we asked the state Judiciary whether she had any options, we were told the information could be found on its website.
By June Watanabe Question: This is in response to your Oct. 7 column about the pedestrian crossing law and judges making a decision on a case-by-case basis. I realize a judge makes his decision based on the “particular facts,” but in my case, the citing officer wasn’t even present on the day of the hearing.
By June Watanabe Question: Why can't anything be done about excessive noises emanating from a residential construction site on Puuikena Drive atop Hawaii Loa Ridge for more than two months? Numerous residents of Aina Haina have complained to the state Department of Health, but nothing has been done to mitigate the noise that's been going on since Aug. 1.
By June Watanabe Question: We recently experienced another poor Aloha Stadium policy, in which the gates into the stadium don't open until 4:30 p.m. Hundreds of fans gathered at North Gate from 4 p.m. Ticket collectors and security bag checkers were already in place. When the gate finally did open, fans rushed to queue in a very poorly formed line.
By June Watanabe Question: How long will it take to fix the second runaway truck ramp on Pali Highway, Kailua-bound? Work on the first ramp was done fairly quickly, but work on the second ramp hasn’t been done for weeks. What’s a runaway truck to do in the meantime? (Combination of two questions.)
By June Watanabe Question: I read your Sept. 27 column regarding drivers being required to stop for pedestrians on a driver's half of the roadway. However, I recently was fined by a judge at Wahiawa District Court for not remaining stopped on California Avenue fronting Leilehua High School.
By June Watanabe Question: Why has the city Department of Parks and Recreation not removed the layers of fiberglass on the grounds of the exercise park at Kapiolani Community College?
By June Watanabe Question: Why can't the Board of Water Supply bill once a month instead of every two months? The amount for two months is a lot of money.
By June Watanabe Question: All these years I've had two handicap parking placards for my cars. This year, they said I can have only one placard. At times when I use one of my cars, I find out too late that I forgot my placard in my other car.
By June Watanabe Question: Regarding the tree trimmer who fell and was killed in Kailua recently: I have four trees in our Kailua yard, and I worry about a trimmer falling and sustaining injuries.
By June Watanabe Question: The construction of Whole Foods in Kailua seems to have stopped while the Target construction hasn’t started. What is the status of these two projects?
By June Watanabe Question: Your Sept. 20 column about an extracted gold tooth made me wonder what the policy is regarding returning gold crowns or fillings.
By June Watanabe Question: On a Monday night in late August, we were waiting for the Route 57 bus at Ala Moana Center to go to Kailua/Waimanalo. Instead of its scheduled 9:40 p.m. arrival, it didn't come until 10:15 p.m. When we called Oahu Transit Services to find out why, the answer was, "Because of construction." There was no construction at that time.
By June Watanabe Question: A police officer stopped me during rush hour on King Street for not stopping for a pedestrian who had just stepped off the curb. I was in the far right lane of six lanes, and the pedestrian was on the far left side. He was not on my half of the roadway, so I kept going. But the officer told me that on a one-way street, there is no “half” and I should have stopped. He just gave me a warning. This seems to be a really obscure part of the law. Can you let people know?
By June Watanabe Question: On Saturday, Sept. 17, the “Eat the Street” lunch wagons came to Mililani Recreation Center 7.
By June Watanabe What are the requirements for a newcomer to Hawaii in establishing residency in order to vote in local elections? • What happened to Tanabe Superette at 934 Keeaumoku St.?
By June Watanabe Question: There has been a lot of monk seal news lately, but how about an update on KP2? Is he still in California?
By June Watanabe Question: On Friday evening, Aug. 19, TheBus dropped off four passengers on Route 23 at Sea Life Park and left them stranded to get to Waimanalo. The driver said it was a holiday schedule and this was his last stop. He said there might be another bus at 7:22 p.m., but he wasn’t sure. My wife was there until 7:50 p.m., when a neighbor picked her up. No other bus had come after she was dropped off at 7:20 p.m. How can this happen?
By June Watanabe Question: My husband went to the dentist recently to extract a tooth filled with gold. He asked for the gold tooth back, but the dentist refused to give it back. What law is this dentist referring to? Do we have a right to ask for it back?
By June Watanabe Question: Back in 2010 I paid my property tax over the Internet. I was charged a convenience fee of $22.
By June Watanabe Question: With the upcoming APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) conference, there will be many diplomats showing tax exemption cards. My understanding is that Hawaii does not have a sales tax, but a general excise tax on goods sold. Must we honor these cards? There are many mom-and-pop businesses that are struggling. Must we pay the taxes for these rich diplomats, too? Please clarify the law before the diplomats start arriving.
By June Watanabe Question: Could you let me know why police issue citations to people who are playing tennis at the Ala Moana Park tennis courts just 5 to 10 minutes after 10 p.m. — when the lights are still on?
By June Watanabe Question: There is a storm/drainage system in Pearl City on Komo Mai Drive between Hoolehua and Hoomoana streets.
By June Watanabe Question: A thief stepped onto our property and stole about 10 avocados off our tree in broad daylight. What recourse do we have? • Auwe to the young lady who used the men’s restroom on the first floor of Macy’s at Ala Moana Center
By June Watanabe Question: So what’s with the endless helicopter flyovers over Manoa and St. Louis Heights the last few weeks? Construction project? Checking electric wires? (Combination of two questions).
By June Watanabe Question: On Friday evening, Sept. 2, Nuuanu Avenue was closed for a block party. The city listed the event as sponsored by Indigo Restaurant and the Chinatown Business & Community Association.