City law calls for taxicabs to be ‘reasonably clean’

Question: Is there an agency that checks the interior of taxicabs for cleanliness? Recently I took a taxi as I was late for an appointment. The cab company sent me a very polite driver whose cab was old but clean on the outside. But I, at age 88, had difficulty getting in because the cab’s floor was very low and covered with debris. It was raining, so I forced my way in. The entire cab reeked of urine. Because I could not get out without the help of the driver, it was raining and I was very late for my appointment, I took the cab. Under normal circumstances I would have dismissed it. What agency should I contact to prevent other elders from experiencing what I experienced?

Answer: Call the city Department of Customer Services’ Taxicab Section at 733-2540 or the Motor Vehicle Control Section at 733-2430.

You need to provide the taxicab operator number, which can be found on the dome or rear bumper of the vehicle, or the cab’s license plate number; the date and time of the incident; plus any other relevant information, said Sheri Kajiwara, director of customer services.

Section 12-1.14 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu covers "condition of taxicabs."

It says, "No vehicle shall be operated as a taxicab unless it is in a reasonably clean and safe condition inside, so as not to damage the person, clothing or possessions of a passenger. The vehicle’s exterior shall be reasonably clean and shall be essentially free from cracks, breaks and major dents. It shall be painted to provide adequate protection and appearance. Each operating wheel shall be equipped with hub caps or wheel covers. Repairs done to comply with this section shall be done within a reasonable time based on availability of parts and labor."

A taxicab company would be notified about any complaint.

The cab in question would be required to go in for an inspection, Kajiwara said. Depending on the findings, the operator’s license may be suspended temporarily, until the problem is remedied.

"However, historically speaking, in all cases of this type, the taxicab will show up all cleaned up so no further action is needed," she said.

The bottom line is to make sure the taxicab is in a clean and safe condition, she said.

Question: Along the H-1 freeway entrance ramp at Kilauea Avenue, heading toward Hawaii Kai, as well as at the Kilauea offramp, exiting the H-1 toward Kahala Mall, there are tall, thin trees. They’re planted apparently to screen the concrete walls of the freeway. The trees are interesting in that the branches and leaves appear to grow upside down, i.e., they sag toward the ground as opposed to growing up toward the sun. Would Kokua Line be able to help me identify what kind of trees these are? They seem to be great privacy screens and something I may be interested in planting in my backyard.

Answer: The trees are false ashoka (Polyalthia longifolia), according to the state Department of Transportation.

They are planted along the bare concrete freeway walls to help reduce the reflection of traffic noise into the surrounding area.

A DOT spokesman explained that these trees are well suited for the narrow curb spaces against the walls because they grow upward and stay slender in shape, with branches growing at a downward angle instead of outward toward the traffic lanes.

They are also resistant to drought and wind conditions.

The tree is native to India and is also called the Buddha tree.

Mahalo

To the men and woman who came to my rescue last month when my car stalled while exiting the parking lot of Teddy’s Bigger Burgers on Makaloa Street. Without hesitation you banded together and pushed my car off the street and into the parking lot. You also called a towing company. Mahalo to AAA, too. My apology for not obtaining your names and for not thanking you properly. Truly the spirit of aloha. — Grateful Classic Car Owner

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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.