Question: Even as tourists we enjoy reading the Star-Advertiser, learning interesting things about life in Hawaii. We were wondering: The Hale Koa Hotel has red lights on the roof, but it seems that most tall Waikiki buildings do not. What are the rules for having red lights on top of tall buildings in Hawaii?
Answer: The Federal Aviation Administration generally recommends that buildings at least 200 feet high be topped with red lights as a warning to aircraft.
All its recommendations are advisory, said Ian Gregor, spokesman for the FAA Western-Pacific Region, but he said developers and local governments are “generally diligent in following FAA recommendations.”
Regarding buildings in Waikiki, he said there is no “simple, broad-brush answer,” with the FAA evaluating structures on a case-by-case basis and considering a number of factors before recommending whether, and how, a structure should be marked and/or lighted.
“Among other things, we look at the use of the surrounding airspace, past studies of other existing structures in the vicinity of the proposed structure, and the specific location of the proposed structure,” Gregor said.
Regarding a cluster of tall buildings, the FAA guidelines say: “When objects within a group of obstructions are approximately the same overall height above the surface and are located a maximum of 150 feet (46 meters) apart, the group of obstructions may be considered an extensive obstruction.”
In that case, lights are recommended to be placed “on the same horizontal plane at the highest portion or edge of prominent obstructions” and “placed to ensure that the light is visible to a pilot approaching from any direction.”
Question: I called Hawaiian Telcom to make an appointment to get a land line for my new home. I was told the first available appointment for a service person to come would be 1 1⁄2 months from the date I called. Isn’t that a bit ridiculous?
Answer: Apparently, it is the reality because of increased demand, although Hawaiian Telcom says it sometimes is able to respond sooner.
Because of the demand, customers are given “extended commitments for new service,” acknowledged Ann Nishida Fry, spokeswoman for Hawaiian Telcom. “However, every effort is made to serve them as quickly as possible.”
She said customers initially are quoted an extended delivery date, “ but by offering Saturday installations and our technicians working 10-hour days, we can sometimes improve them.”
The wait time is expected to be reduced soon as new technicians complete their training programs. Hawaiian Telcom also is hiring station technicians and is encouraging interested applicants to view job descriptions and apply online at www.hawaiiantel.com (go to “careers” at bottom of the screen).
“We apologize for any delays our customers may experience right now,” Nishida Fry said. “Our goal is to deliver superior service, which means our team members are committed to quality work and take care to get the job done right the first time.”
Mahalo
To the city Department of Parks and Recreation, Pacific Recreation Co. and many other contractors for the outstanding construction job on the Pearl Ridge Community Park tennis courts. Even though the project was long and “painful” to those of us who had to scramble to play in other locations, we now smile, no longer worried about tripping on cracks and weeds. Over the past year, you have also improved other neighborhood courts such as Ala Moana, Hawaii Kai, Diamon
Head, Central Oahu Regional Park, etc. From the thousands of tennis players across the island, we offer a sincere “thank you.” — John Burns/Aiea
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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 email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
