QUESTION: The lights on the clock at Aloha Tower have been out for several weeks. As this is the start of cruise season, with many visitors eager to see that iconic landmark, I hate to see the state’s most famous building not looking its best. Can you find out why it is taking the state so long to replace the light bulbs — or is the repair more complicated than that?
ANSWER: Although you observed the lights on the clock being out for weeks when you contacted Kokua Line on Oct. 15, we’re told that there was an outage for only a week.
The Aloha Tower maritime traffic control supervisor with the state Department of Transportation’s Harbors Division reported a light outage Oct. 14, and it was repaired by harbor maintenance on Oct. 21, DOT spokeswoman Caroline Sluyter said Thursday.
"As to the extent of the outage, it was confirmed that only one of six light fixtures on the Diamond Head side was out due to a faulty ballast," she said.
We weren’t able to sort out the discrepancy in accounts, but Sluyter did provide some interesting information about the tower and its occupants.
The clock tower was built in 1926.
"In addition to being one of Honolulu’s most distinguishing landmarks, both from the land and waterside, mariners have also come to rely on the voice of the tower — the professionals who staff the watch 24/7," Sluyter said.
Like lighthouse keepers of the past, members of the Marine Traffic Control Unit "provide a vital service to mariners, shipping interests and emergency responders," she said.
The unit controls marine traffic into and out of Honolulu Harbor and Kalaeloa Harbor, as well as ship movements between piers, and assignments to berths.
DENNIS KAMIMURA DAY
We’d like to acknowledge the retirement Thursday of Dennis Kamimura, administrator of the city Motor Vehicle and Licensing Division, who has helped answer many and varied Kokua Line questions over the years, ranging from abandoned vehicles, towed vehicles and nuisance chickens to driver’s licenses and, most recently, state ID cards.
In recognition of his 34 years with the city, beginning as a management analyst, then licensing administrator since 1980, Mayor Kirk Caldwell proclaimed Thursday Dennis Kamimura Day.
"Kamimura is the foremost authority in the state on motor vehicle and drivers licensing programs, where his work and expert testimony before the Legislature and City Council for three decades has shaped State statutes and helped the city craft important ordinances, while developing an exceptional rapport with both his peers with the state and his counterparts across the nation," Caldwell said in his proclamation.
Kamimura was recognized for his years of contributions to the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators by being named this year’s recipient of the Chair’s Award of Excellence.
Kamimura also was highly instrumental in Hawaii’s achieving recognition as the 20th state determined to be in full compliance with the federal REAL ID Act by the Department of Homeland Security, Caldwell said.
AUWE
To a careless driver. I was crossing Waialae Avenue at 12th Avenue going mauka with a walk/green light when suddenly, as I was halfway across, a car drove two feet in front of me going through a red light! All I could say was "Hey!" although the driver looked oblivious to the whole scene as he drove right by without hesitating. Drivers and pedestrians really need to be more attentive. My husband said I could have been dead right! — Concerned Driver and Pedestrian
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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.
