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QUESTION: I read the Oct. 16 Kokua Line, giving the nomenclature for street designations, with interest. A "lane" is described as "a narrow and short roadway without curbs or sidewalks." But Hobron Lane, where I live, is a full-length, improved roadway, with curbs and sidewalks on both sides of the road. It would seem that the city Department of Planning and Permitting as well as Sections 22-8.1 to 22-8.5 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu are inaccurate, to say the least! If Hobron Lane meets the criteria of being a "street," will the name be corrected in the future?
ANSWER: We surmised that Hobron Lane probably fit the criteria of being a "lane" when it was first named and that turns out to be the case.
It had its beginnings more than 100 years ago.
"Hobron Lane was named around 1905 when it was a lane with an irregular right-of-way width between 13 and 20 feet," explained Mario Siu-Li, chief of the Subdivision Branch for the Department of Planning and Permitting,
In the early 1950s, the area was subdivided and redeveloped, he said, and the city enacted a "frontage improvement district" that widened Hobron Lane to a 54-foot-wide right-of-way, with curbs and sidewalks.
Although it was officially a "street," the name was retained because it had been in use for such a long time.
At this point, "changing the name to fit the nomenclature would be time-consuming, costly and highly disruptive to the many residents in the area," Siu-Li said.
The city would have to conduct a poll of all property owners and residents and obtain approval of the majority to change the name to Hobron Street.
Then, if renamed, all the residents would be faced with changing their personal, property and business documents to reflect the change, Siu-Li said.
GREEN NOVEMBER
The one-stop recycling drop-off program "Going Green" has two public events scheduled for November: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Campbell High School, 91-980 North Road; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 9 at Ka’ala Elementary School, 130 California Ave.
An event will be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 13 at the Prince Kuhio Federal Building, but is open to building employees only.
Among the items not accepted: cardboard, paper, plastics, tires, microwave ovens, motor oil, hazardous fluids, wood and bulky items.
Accepted items include computers, printers, ink cartridges and scanners; one television per car; cellphones; scrap metal; appliances; up to three propane tanks; fire extinguishers; heat pumps; all kinds of batteries; used cooking oil; used eyeglasses, hearing aids, white socks; used tennis balls; prom dresses, women’s business suits and accessories, and other usable clothing; pet food, towels and blankets, toys; household items; incandescent light bulbs (swap for CFLs); canned goods for the Hawaii Foodbank; and HI-5 beverage containers.
For more information, call volunteer coordinator Rene Mansho at 291-6151 or email renemansho@hawaii.rr.com. Mansho also can be contacted for free towing of unwanted cars.
MAHALO
To the three military guys diving off Laniakea who came to help me and my family. My wife said one of you is a medic. On Sept 15, I was walking on the shore, slipped, fell backward, hit the back of my head and blacked out. I had a bad injury to my head. My son also fell and cut his head. If it wasn’t for you and the paramedics, I may not be here today and my son may not be so well. I’m sorry our family did not get your names. I am still recovering and am thankful every day because of you. I hope we can meet you and thank you. — Mike Choi
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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.
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