Question: Several months ago the state placed rumble strips east and west of Makaha Beach to slow traffic. These strips are not the dome type, but lane-wide strips — 60 strips eastbound and 60 westbound. Basically it’s no different from having to drive over 120 potholes daily. While I understand the need to slow traffic, why were these strips chosen? They are jarring, loud and cause heavy wear and tear on vehicles, even at the posted 25 mph.
Answer: They were chosen specifically to jar motorists into slowing down, alerting them of the lower speed limit ahead.
Makaha is the first location on Oahu chosen by the state Department of Transportation to test these lane-wide rumble strips.
"To decrease jarring on vehicles, motorists are advised to reduce their speeds as they approach the area," a DOT spokesman said. "Getting motorists to slow down is the express purpose of this project."
If they do what they’re supposed to do, the strips might be applied elsewhere, he said.
He explained that the speed limit on Farrington Highway, between Upena and Lawaia streets, was reduced in July to 25 mph from 35 mph to address safety issues.
Each rumble strip measures a quarter-inch high. In comparison, the older raised pavement markers, which resemble small white domes, measure approximately three-quarters of an inch high.
Initially, plans were to use half-inch-high strips, but the quarter-inch strips were chosen to reduce noise, the DOT spokesman said.
Approaching the lowered speed limit zone at Makaha Beach Park in either direction, there are three sets of 10 strips laid across both lanes.
You’ll roll over three sets of 10 strips approaching the park, then three more sets of 10 strips as you exit the area, past the park, in both directions.
"Since Farrington Highway is an undivided two-lane road, the strips were placed across both lanes to deter vehicles from intentionally crossing the centerline into oncoming traffic to avoid them," the DOT spokesman said.
If Farrington Highway was a divided highway, with its single lanes separated by a raised median divider, then the rumble strips would be installed only at the approaches to the lowered speed limit zone but not at the exits, he said.
"Again, to minimize rough impacts, motorists are advised to slow down approaching the area," he said.
Question: How can I get information for my family to visit the Diamond Head Lighthouse, if possible?
Answer: It’s not possible, because the lighthouse serves as the home of the commander of the 14th Coast Guard District.
The present lighthouse, built in 1918, replaced the original structure, which was built in 1899. However, the original Fresnel lens is still in use today, and the light can be seen 18 miles out to sea.
The lighthouse, which sits 147 feet above sea level on the slopes of Diamond Head, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
MAHALO
To all the people who helped when my wife suddenly fainted as we were having lunch at McDonald’s in Enchanted Lake in Kailua last month. I have a balance problem and was not able to help. Immediately, an elderly couple in the next booth reached over to stop her from falling. Three men having lunch rushed over to help lay her down until the ambulance came to take her to Castle Memorial Hospital. She is now OK due to the quick action of these fine people. Aloha ke Akua (God is love) and much aloha to all of them. — A.K. Simeon, Waimanalo Kukupa Housing
MAHALO
To the Straub Electrophysiology Clinic. My father was a new patient there, and I was so impressed by the kindness and respect shown to him and the other patients. The entire staff are role models of professionalism graced with compassion, knowledge and good will. — Grateful Patient and Family
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