Question: We drive by the hill stabilization project on Pali Highway every day and are curious: Why are there multicolored marker flags being used on the hillside?
Answer: The colored markers denote the different depths of the bolts anchoring the wire netting to the hillside.
“We’re putting in what’s called an ‘anchored wire mesh system,’” explained Cliff Tillotson, vice president of Prometheus Construction.
His company has handled many of the state Department of Transportation’s hill stabilization and erosion control projects, including two nearby hillsides along Pali Highway completed a few years ago that are “all vegetated now.”
Installing the wire mesh system involves putting “bolts into the ground — soil anchors,” then seeding, laying a “coconut blanket” (an erosion control blanket made of coconut fibers) and, finally, laying the heavy wire mesh.
“The bolts push the mesh to the ground surface so it prevents any sliding or movement of the soil,” Tillotson said.
The differently colored flags distinguish the different lengths of the bolts — primarily 10, 15 or 20 feet, he said. “At the very, very top, which you can’t see from the road, we have some 6-footers.”
Tillotson said last week that the project should take another six weeks or so. Similar work on the opposite side of the highway will be done in the future.
Meanwhile, Prometheus Construction also continues to do “more basic erosion control” and landscaping work around the island.
It’s just a fact of nature that many areas on Oahu are prone to erosion because of “saprolitic” soil, which results “when the lava breaks down enough to convert into soil,” Tillotson said. “Lava here has so much iron in it, when it breaks down, it oxidizes and turns red.”
Compounding the problem of erosion and landslides is the added danger of falling rocks.
The soil here “also is prone to having boulders embedded in it, so you not only have the erosion of the soil, but you could have rocks coming down on the freeway as well,” Tillotson said. “That’s why you want to do this work.”
Question: On April 12 I sent an application to the state Department of Health with the required $10 money order for a copy of my birth certificate (70 years), having lost the original to a black hole. A month later the process was repeated, plus an inquiry into “how patient should I be?” Well, mid-June is upon us, and I remain without proof on paper that I exist. Contacting the DOH online is a computer chat. No options are given for a live contact point. Any suggestions before I jump?
Answer: We were told a certified copy of your birth certificate was mailed to you June 20.
It currently is taking more than nine weeks to respond to mail-in requests for birth certificates and other vital records because of a staffing shortage, said Janice Okubo, spokeswoman for the state Department of Health.
And it’s not going to get any better unless more staff can be hired.
The new driver’s license and state ID requirements for proof of legal presence have doubled the volume of requests received daily by the department, with no attendant increase in staffing, Okubo said.
“The department requested additional positions in the last two legislative sessions but was unsuccessful,” Okubo said. “Without sufficient staff to process daily records requests, we are unable to reduce the wait time for certified copies.”
Mahalo
To Larry for helping this senior citizen when I had a dizzy spell leaving a Las Vegas casino to catch a bus May 27. Larry, a stranger, formerly of Pearl City and now residing on Kauai, rushed to assist me, half carrying me to the bus and instructing the driver to keep an eye on me. His fast response prevented me from falling and getting seriously injured. God bless you, Larry. — Grateful Pearl City Resident
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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.
