Question: One of my pleasures in life is to walk or jog through the Koko Crater Botanical Garden, which I have been doing for 15 years. Recently my wife and I bought a puppy, and we take her on walks to Sandy Beach and to the Makapuu lighthouse. When we attempted to take her on a walk through Koko Crater, the security guard stopped us and said dogs aren’t allowed. I explained that I would keep her on a leash, that I had poo bags if needed and that she was well-mannered and not a threat to anyone or anything. He still said no. I don’t believe this rule has any logical foundation. How could it be changed?
Answer: You could write to the director of the city Department of Parks and Recreation, who has the authority under Section 10-1.7 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu to designate certain parks or park areas as open to dogs, either leashed or unleashed.
But the no-dogs policy won’t be changing any time soon at Koko Crater.
Dogs are not allowed there because of “the sensitivity of the flora on the grounds,” said Jay Parasco, spokesman for the city administration.
According to its website — www1.honolulu.gov/parks/hbg/kcbg.htm — the hot, dry climate inside Koko Crater makes it ideal for the dryland collections of the Honolulu Botanical Gardens.
The 60-acre garden is said to house “a collection of rare and beautiful plants from the tropical regions of the world. Some are rare or endangered in their native habitat,” the website says.
Of special note among the plants representing Hawaii, the Americas, Madagascar and Africa is a grove of wiliwili trees, described as a “magnificent state of native trees” protected by the state’s Exceptional Tree Act.
Koko Crater Botanical Garden, at the end of Kokonani Street in Hawaii Kai, is open daily from sunrise to sunset, except for Christmas and New Year’s Day. Admission is free.
Meanwhile, Parasco said the public can email suggestions for any kind of park rule changes to the parks director at parks@honolulu.gov.
Question: Do you know what company paints your house number on the curb in reflective paint? Some guys came around a few years ago and offered to do it for $10. I would like to have mine repainted since it’s worn off.
Answer: We haven’t found any local company advertising that service, although it’s a practice common enough on the mainland that it’s offered by budding entrepreneurs (apparently as in your case) as well as scammers.
It’s something fairly simple that can be done on your own, following the city’s guidelines. We found do-it-yourself curb numbering kits offered online.
Just be aware: Section 2-9.2 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu requires property owners to have address numbers on their buildings “placed in such manner as to be readily seen” from the street, specifically in a different color from the background, at least 2 inches high and placed in a “permanent manner” (no chalk or other “effaceable material” allowed).
Property owners are allowed to supplement the building numbers with numbers painted on the curb fronting the building.
No permit is required, but the numbering has to be done under these guidelines: painted within a 6-by-12-inch area on the top of the curb; painted next to where the driveway flares out; and painted in black Arabic numerals no more than 4 inches high over a white background.
Any other work on the city’s sidewalk areas must be approved by the city Department of Planning and Permitting.
MAHALO
To the kind and honest person who found my wallet in the men’s room at Sam’s Club and turned it in. I remain grateful to whoever you are. May God bless you. — Jerry
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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.
