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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. Can the state force them to remove it? We are concerned that due to the erosion at this section of the beach, each landowner will eventually harden the shoreline fronting their property and forever prevent the beach from coming back.
Answer: Based on the photos you provided, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands visited the site and "opened an investigation," said spokeswoman Deborah Ward.
The investigation encompasses four adjacent properties, she said, declining to go into details because it is an active case.
Anyone with additional information is asked to email alex.j.roy@hawaii.gov of the Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands.
In general, Ward said that lands makai of the shoreline are considered to be part of the state Land Use Conservation District.
Any construction in this area would need to be reviewed by OCCL.
If OCCL finds work that is unauthorized, its findings and recommendations could be presented to the Board of Land and Natural Resources, which then might issue fines and either mandate the removal of any structures or that environmental studies be done and an "after-the-fact" permit be secured.
Question: Auwe to the city from the many elderly bus riders in the Wahiawa area.The new $5.5 million bus terminal was dedicated by the mayor on Tuesday. As everyone knows, most seniors need to use a toilet before and after getting off the bus. The designer or the city budget person was very shortsighted in not putting in a public toilet facility. There is a toilet in the Wahiawa terminal, but only for employees. Can’t they put in a public restroom?
Answer: Unfortunately, the nearest restrooms for patrons of the new Wahiawa Transit Center — now and in the foreseeable future — will be in the adjacent State Civic Center.
We asked whether there were signs directing people there and were told that having signs is a good idea.
"I will ask our facilities branch to have them installed," said Wayne Yoshioka, director of the city Department of Transportation Services.
He said restrooms at bus facilities "create a major maintenance problem for us."
With limited funds to provide security, the city’s policy is to not have public restrooms at bus facilities. "This is true nationally as well," Yoshioka said.
The only bus facilities with permanent public restrooms are the Waipahu Transit Center, the Mililani Transit Center and the soon-to-open Middle Street Intermodal Center.
Vandals have "completely destroyed" restrooms at the Waipahu and Mililani centers several times, Yoshioka said. "Because of this, we only have the bathrooms open when a security guard is present."
The Middle Street Intermodal Center, which will open Nov. 14, will have around-the-clock security. It includes the Handi-Van Administration and Maintenance Building, Handi-Van Parking Lot, Middle Street Transit Center and a Park and Ride Lot.
AUWE
To the mean-spirited couple in the minivan who keyed my car in the Straub Clinic parking lot on Friday, Oct. 7. What a childish thing to do as I did nothing to you. — Disappointed and Disgusted
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 email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
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