Question: I live in Wahiawa, and on my daily walk I pass the state Department of Transportation’s base yard on California Avenue, across from Kaala Elementary School. It was an old place but rebuilt about two years ago. Everything is brand new but never been occupied. It’s a joke. Why did the state build this only to have it sit empty? It’s becoming an eyesore and a waste of taxpayers’ money.
Answer: While the $2.3 million Wahiawa Baseyard was substantially completed at the end of 2012, it remains closed with no opening date in sight.
Work along the perimeter of the property at 115 California Ave. still needs to be done before the base yard receives an occupancy permit, said DOT spokeswoman Caroline Sluyter. The DOT then has to get additional funding for the work.
“Our design engineers are currently working on getting plans finalized (and) approved, and funding allocated to complete final requirements,” she said.
Because work is continuing on additional exterior designs and permits are pending, the DOT doesn’t have a firm target date for completion or move-in.
The initial $2.3 million covered demolition and removal of old structures and construction of a new building, work areas and maintenance bays, Sluyter said.
“We understand the community’s concerns, and our crews are eagerly looking forward to moving into the new facility as well,” she said.
Question: My mother, 95 going on 96, is an avid University of Hawaii football fan who has not missed a home game for more than 10 years. But as she gets older, walking across the Aiea overpass bridge at Aloha Stadium and up the roundabout ramp is becoming more and more difficult. I phoned the stadium to ask if I could drop off her and her party closer to the ramp (she has a handicap parking placard), then leave the parking lot. I was told this is not possible. Can’t something be done for elderly and handicapped fans?
Answer: Aloha Stadium does accommodate people with disabilities, which is what you should have been told.
The procedure for an “ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) drop-off” begins with a driver paying for parking, asking for an escort, then requesting a refund slip from the gate cashier, explained a stadium official.
The gate supervisor will call for an escort, and the driver will be directed to Section 2-A, near Turnstile Gate 4, to drop off the disabled passenger. Turnstile Gate 4 is the designated drop-off area because of its proximity to the stadium’s lone elevator.
The vehicle then will be escorted back to the Main Gate exit for a refund, the official said.
If your mother sits in the brown or yellow sections, she may use the elevator at the south concourse near Section A. To get an elevator pass, she needs to show her disability ID card to the nurse in the First Aid Station directly across the concourse from the elevator.
The stadium also loans out wheelchairs and has ADA-designated seating areas on the top of the main concourse, the official said.
“We are happy to do what we can to make (your mother’s) time at Aloha Stadium a pleasant one,” he said.
MAHALO
To an honest family. My wife lost her wallet at a yard sale in Kaimuki in July. After searching the area and leaving her contact number, she returned home. We canceled all her credit and ATM cards and prepared to replace her IDs. However, the next evening, the family came to our house with my wife’s wallet totally intact, including the money. They had stopped by the day before, but we were not at home. We were so overwhelmed by their honesty, we forgot to get their names while thanking them. Our deepest mahalo to this family for restoring our faith in the honesty of people. — Tamuras
———
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.
