Question: I live in Niu Valley and run two to three times a week on Kalanianaole Highway toward Hawaii Kai. For over two years, the Maunalua Bay Beach Park restrooms have been closed for work on a sewer system. And for the past several months, the water fountain, the only working component of the rest area, has been dismantled.
I know work on the sewer system takes time, but why so long? This is a great resting/stopping point for runners, cyclists and park-goers.When will work be completed (including a working water fountain)?
Answer: It’s been more than three years since the restrooms there were shut down, but reopening day is said to be in sight: next month.
The water fountain will be back up as well, said Chris Takashige, director of the city Department of Design and Construction.
We reported last July that the restrooms were expected to reopen by the end of 2013 (see is.gd/8Lq7ER).
But that date couldn’t be met after the contractor, Integrated Construction, discovered heavily corroded underground piping, Takashige said. That finding required checking to see if pipes beneath the concrete flooring of the restroom facility also were corroded and needed to be replaced.
Luckily, that wasn’t the case, so the contractor was able to connect the new pipe to the existing one, Takashige said.
The contract’s original cost of $450,000 has been maintained, Takashige said.
Now that the piping work has been completed, the Department of Parks and Recreation will be replacing fixtures, including the water fountain, as part of the "sprucing up," Takashige said. The contractor, meanwhile, will complete a 60-day landscape "growing in" period.
"Our current schedule has both the landscaping period, and Park Department’s work, finishing up" on April 14, he said. "We are currently expecting the (restrooms) to reopen shortly thereafter."
The restrooms were closed because the city wanted to upgrade from a cesspool system. But hooking up to a sewer system proved difficult and time-consuming because there was no city sewer system in the area.
After the restrooms were closed at the end of 2010, funds were sought to plan, design and construct a connection to the closest available wastewater system, Takashige said. As part of that work, a new water service line was provided for the drinking fountain.
Integrated Construction was awarded the $450,000 contract in 2012, but the start date wasn’t until April 15, 2013.
Question: Isn’t it a federal offense for anyone else, except the postman, to have the legal right to enter a private home mailbox? A note was placed in our mailbox with a religious message.
Answer: We’ve answered similar complaints in the past about advertising fliers, association notices and other nonmailed items placed in mailboxes.
The answer hasn’t changed: It is against U.S. postal regulations to place "any matter not bearing postage, including items or matter placed upon, supported by, attached to, hung from, or inserted into a mail receptacle."
Anyone who "knowingly and willfully deposits any mailable matter … with intent to avoid payment of lawful postage" faces a fine of $5,000 per individual or $10,000 per organization.
To file a complaint, contact your post office. Phone numbers can be found at usps.whitepages.com/post_office or by calling 800-275-8777.
MAHALO
To Nani Baker of Waimanalo, who found my wallet in a Kaneohe Safeway shopping cart. She not only tried to contact me by phone, but took the time to find my address, drive to my home and deliver my wallet after I failed to answer her call. My wallet had cash, credit cards, driver’s license and other valuable items that would have been a nightmare to replace. Every night my family reviews our "roses and thorns" for the day at dinner. Nani Baker was my family’s rose for several days for her honesty and willingness to go the extra mile. — Neal Agamaite
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.
