Question: To whom do I report a faulty traffic signal? The left-turn signal for westbound traffic on Ala Moana Boulevard at Kamakee Street is triggered each time the green light for the westbound traffic is activated, even when there are no cars waiting in the left-turn lane. Before the current round of construction, the left-turn signal was activated only when cars were waiting in the left-turn lane. It is frustrating to wait in the eastbound lane at 5 a.m. when there is nobody waiting to turn into Ala Moana Park.
Answer: For any complaints or questions regarding state highways, including concerns about traffic signals, landscaping, potholes, lighting, graffiti and safety hazards, call the state Department of Transportation highways hot line at 831-6714.
We’re told a clerk will log the call and forward it to the Highways Division.
In this case, however, timing of signal lights is an intentional, interim measure.
The timing of the lights is a result of a continuing resurfacing and lighting replacement project at Nimitz Highway and Ala Moana Boulevard.
Until the project is completed — the target date is October, weather permitting — the signal pattern will remain in effect.
Crews are excavating lanes on Ala Moana, between Queen Street and Ward Avenue, and relocating electrical, communication and other utility cables from overhead poles to underground conduits, a transportation spokesman said.
“To accomplish this the underground traffic detectors at the Kamakee Street intersection had to be temporarily deactivated,” he said.
In the interim the intersection signals are running on timers to give all lanes time to proceed. The left-turn signal in question stays green for 30 seconds.
Similar work is under way on Ala Moana, from Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki, extending in segments to Fort Street in downtown Honolulu.
“When the utility relocation work is completed, the lanes will be resurfaced, and the traffic detectors will be returned to normal,” the spokesman said.
In the meantime “we appreciate the public’s patience with traffic delays during the construction,” he said.
Question: Is there any update on the FBI agent charged with murdering a local resident at a McDonald’s restaurant before the 2011 APEC meeting in Honolulu? Is he still employed by the FBI and out on bail?
Answer: Christopher Deedy, a special agent for the State Department, not FBI, was allowed to return to his home in Virginia in December, pending trial for fatally shooting Kollin Elderts, 23, of Waimanalo on Nov. 5 at the McDonald’s in Waikiki.
Trial is set for the week of Sept. 10 before Circuit Judge Karen Ahn, according to the city prosecutor’s office.
Deedy was in Hawaii to help with security during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit when he became involved a confrontation with Elderts, shooting him fatally in the chest. Deedy is claiming self-defense.
He was allowed to post $250,000 bail and leave Hawaii. However, he cannot carry any weapon, must work at a desk job and cannot travel more than 100 miles from his home.
See is.gd/deedy12312011.
Mahalo
To the Honolulu police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians who quickly responded to a wreck early Sunday morning, April 1, at King and Isenberg streets. My son and his girlfriend were in a vehicle that was badly damaged. The emergency responders had both out of the car and on their way to the hospital in a matter of minutes. A special thanks to a homeless man who witnessed the crash and rushed to administer first aid to my son before paramedics arrived. You are truly an angel, and I wish I had your name to thank you personally. — John B. Rogers
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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.
