Question: The concession stands at Ala Moana Beach Park closed nearly one year ago, and they have yet to reopen. Why did they close, and what happened to the nice lady who ran them? When will they reopen? This beach park is very popular with tourists and locals alike, and it’s a shame the concession stands aren’t available.
Answer: As of last weekend the two food concessions at both ends of the park are up and running.
The food stands were closed in September after the previous concession contract was terminated, said Tracy Kubota, deputy director of the Department of Enterprise Services.
Bids were solicited for a new contract, which was awarded to Optimum Marketing and Management Corp. Optimum, which also runs Queen’s Surf Cafe & Lanai at Kapiolani Park, received its notice to proceed in mid-February.
Both concessions are now open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, Kubota said.
The Ewa concession had a “soft opening in March” and began full operations in May. However, Optimum had been dealing with utility problems affecting both concessions, closing the Ewa stand temporarily in July, Kubota said.
Meanwhile, she said, Optimum had been upgrading the Diamond Head-end concession, including retrofitting and installing new equipment. That stand did not open until last weekend.
Under the five-year contract, Optimum will pay the city $500 a month, plus gross receipts of 4 percent a month for the first and second year; $750 a month, plus 5 percent of gross receipts monthly, for the third year; $1,000 a month, plus 5 percent of gross receipts a month, for the fourth year; and $1,000 a month, plus 6 percent of gross receipts a month, for the fifth year.
Question: For weeks I’ve walked up Hawaii Kai Drive toward the Kamiloiki pumping station, which keeps its curb area clean. But, just past the station, overgrown weeds are blocking the sidewalk and covering a fire hydrant. I’ve contacted the Fire Department and people who built new homes there, but nobody cleans it up. It’s a big, gnarly mess. Who is in charge of cutting it? It’s dangerous, and with school back in session, children who walk to Kamiloiki Elementary have to navigate through this jungle or walk on the road. (Two questions combined.)
Answer: The city is responsible.
We first contacted the city Department of Planning and Permitting, whose Housing Code Section oversees sidewalk areas, and was told an inspector checked the area in May and referred the matter to the Department of Facility Maintenance.
The department’s Division of Road Maintenance will have the overgrowth cleared by the end of this month, Ross Sasamura, director of facility maintenance, told us Thursday after he checked the situation.
In the future, if the area from the curb or road’s edge to a private property line is damaged, obstructed or blocked by overgrowth, call the Housing Code Section at 768-8159. If a vehicle is blocking the sidewalk area, call the Honolulu Police Department at 911.
MAHALO
To the young men who witnessed me causing a commotion at Walgreens Keeaumoku. At the checkout counter, I couldn’t find my wallet. “Oh my gosh, did I leave it somewhere or did I lose it?” Then I hear, “Auntie, Auntie, here, take this $3.” I said, “Thank you but I can’t take it.” The young men left, and I ran after them, putting the money on the sidewalk for them, then ran to catch the bus. I found my wallet at home, so took the bus back to pick up my purchases. To my surprise, the young men had gone back in and paid for me. I donated the money for cancer research in their honor. You go, good guys, you go! — Tutu Pupule
———
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.
