Question: Is there anything I can do about illegal dumping at the old Cannon Club on Diamond Head? As you turn into one of the driveways, someone dumped an aluminum topper and other people are starting to dump garbage around it.

Answer: The former U.S. Army site is now the responsibility of the University of Hawaii’s Kapiolani Community College, where officials promptly followed up on your query.

KCC hopes to open the Culinary Institute of the Pacific on the site in 2013.

When Milton Higa, KCC’s vice chancellor of administrative services, visited the site last Thursday, he did not find an aluminum topper (truck cap or camper shell) at or near the location, said UH spokeswoman Tina Shelton.

KCC’s Dean Carol Hoshiko and Director Louise Yamamoto also checked the site and nearby areas and did not see any illegal dumping.

Hoshiko said KCC "takes seriously" its responsibility for the site and responding to community concerns. It has taken steps to prevent people from entering illegally and to prevent dumping by erecting iron gates at the two entrances, posting "no trespassing" signs and doing regular monitoring.

Contact KCC if you see any illegal dumping on its property.

The public can call the city at 768-3300 to report an existing illegal dump site. Go to http://www.opala.org/ solid_waste/dumping_report.htm for more information.

Question: Is it true that when you donate toys in Hawaii for Toys for Tots that some toys are shipped to the mainland? If so, I think this will upset a lot of people, who are expecting these toys to go to a local child in need, not to some child on the mainland.

Answer: It’s not true.

Toys donated locally are distributed only to children in Hawaii, while donated money is used in the islands to buy toys or to help pay for operational costs, said Marine Staff Sgt. Rafael Arriaga Jr., Toys for Tots Hawaii coordinator.

Aside from organizers wanting to give the toys to Hawaii’s children, shipping costs would be prohibitive.

"The only thing that gets shipped anywhere is (Toys for Tots) supplies" to neighbor islands, he said.

Arriaga, whose passion for the cause is clear, explained, "Toys for Tots is set up to allow people like myself to give back to the communities we live in. … It’s an opportunity for service members and the community to give back to those in greater need."

The Hawaii goal this year is to collect 45,000 toys. As of Friday, the organization was 23,000 toys short. But 11 events Saturday and the "huge" Street Bikers United event Sunday brought in $4,000 in cash and 2,500 to 3,000 more toys.

With about two more weeks to go, Arriaga is hoping to meet the goal.

The Marine Corps has participated in Toys for Tots nationwide since 1948. It is partnered with the Salvation Army, which distributes the toys through various nonprofit agencies.

See http://kaneohe-bay-hi.toysfortots.org/ for drop-off locations or call 257-7147.

Auwe

To the driver of a yellow sports car who lost his temper in the Ala Moana Center parking lot, upper level near Nordstroms, about 3 p.m. Sunday. We weren’t trying to steal your space — we were trying to get by as you blocked traffic trying to reverse into that corner stall. Your bad behavior is a sad reminder of how the material excesses of the season can skew the priorities of some. Shame on you. — Disturbed Shopper

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Write to "Kokua Line" at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or e-mail kokualine@staradvertiser.com.