New spot for washing boats in Hawaii Kai is permanent

QUESTION: The wash-down area for boats at Maunalua Bay in Hawaii Kai recently was relocated to an area parallel to Kalanianaole Highway to allow repairs to the deteriorated pavement at the original wash-down area. We fisherman are hoping this move is just temporary for the following reasons:

» The new location has three wash-down stations, each parallel to the roadway, allowing only three boat trailers to be washed at a time. The original location allowed four trailers to be washed at only two stations.

» If trailers are parked at the first and third stations, it’s very difficult, and impossible for large trailers, to parallel park at the center station. Also, traffic is blocked when boats try to parallel park in the center area.

» The biggest concern is that the new location is a safety hazard to boaters exposed to vehicles driving by. The original location was off to the side and had no through-traffic. Is the new wash-down area temporary? If not and if the concern is that the old location allowed detergent-laden wash-down water to drain into the ocean, signs could be posted similar to Navy base locations, where they prohibit the use of any type of non-biodegradable detergents.

ANSWER: The answer from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources is one you won’t like: The relocation is meant to be permanent. And that’s speci•fically because of concerns over wash water entering the ocean.

The wash-down area was moved from its old location immediately adjacent to the bay because runoff was going directly into the ocean, in violation of state Department of Health regulations, said Meghan Statts, Oahu District Manager for DLNR’s Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation.

On top of that, there also were issues with standing water at the previous location, she said.

Regarding fixing potholes in the parking lot, the boating division decided that it didn’t make sense to do that until after the wash-down stations were relocated.

Concerning safety, "there should be enough room within the wash-down area for someone to safely wash their vessel," Statts said. "We have also installed speed bumps and speed limit signs on the roadway near the wash-down area."

As for posting signs about using biodegradable detergents: "Signs are great, but that does not stop anyone from still using non-bio•degradable detergents," she said. "By relocating the wash-down (area) away from the water’s edge, it eliminates the possibility of a (Health Department) violation."

With the relocation, "we hope boaters will work together and be patient with one another and continue to use biodegradable soaps and cleaning materials to further reduce the amount of pollution flowing into the bay and subsequently the ocean," Statts said.

QUESTION: Is there another drive to collect unused medication scheduled?

ANSWER: The next "National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day" coordinated by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration is scheduled for April 26.

According to the DEA, collection sites are being organized and information will be made available once the sites are confirmed.

Locally, the state Attorney General’s Office participates in the event and will announce details and collection sites. You can also check dea.gov two weeks prior to the event for sites.

MAHALO

To our mailman, Ivan Morita. It was fate that he was delivering mail on Jan. 23 and noticed my wife on the ground with the trash bin atop her outside our fence. He immediately pulled the bin off and, seeing she was injured, came running to my house to inform me. I told my wife not to move while I got help. I am handicapped, and it took me some time to call the ambulance and to get all the insurance papers. Mr. Morita stayed by my wife’s side, comforting and reassuring her. Only after the ambulance arrived and knowing she would be cared for, he went on with his duties. His kindness and concern obviously come from his heart. — Kenneth Yoda/Pearl City

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.