Question: Work on Kalanianaole Highway in the block near Aina Haina Shopping Center hasn’t been resurfaced in over a month. It’s hazardous with the wet weather and the fact that the road isn’t smooth. What’s going on?

Question: What’s the status of the rehabilitation of Kalanianaole Highway in East Oahu? It’s been going on for some time. On the mauka side of the highway, there is a 2- to 3-inch discrepancy between the gutter and highway along much of the course. It’s quite dangerous if you are riding a bicycle. Why is it taking so long and only half completed in sections?

Answer: The repaving part of the work along Kalanianaole Highway is targeted to be completed in June, but the entire project isn’t slated for completion until February.

The block near the shopping center required more reconstruction work than other segments because of concrete slabs situated below the surface, said a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation.

The project involves reconstructing the road down to a depth of 12 inches in the most deteriorated sections.

Work in the westbound lanes always was anticipated to take longer than the eastbound lanes because of the various subsurface issues, the spokesman said.

For now, work is continuing to level the surface, after which the full repaving will begin.

Also for now, be warned: The road won’t be level with manhole covers and gutters until the paving is completed.

The DOT says it has posted signs warning motorists and bicyclists of the uneven roadway. Still, the spokesman said, “The asphalt base course is safe for wet weather conditions, and the project contractor sweeps the shoulder of debris weekly or as necessary.”

Temporary striping in the westbound, right shoulder that was loosened during recent rain will be reinstalled, he said.

After resurfacing is completed, the project will continue with the installation of permanent pavement striping and markers, signs, guardrails, landscaping and bridge joints.

The $14 million project to reconstruct and repave 4.22 miles of Kalanianaole Highway from West Hind Drive to Hanauma Bay Road began last summer.

Question: Who is responsible for reinstalling or removing the white-and-red lane markers along Kalanianaole Highway that were knocked loose during recent repaving? I counted five dozen that were “free,” with at least one perched in a drain opening, ready to wash into the ocean with the next heavy rain.

Answer: The state Department of Transportation says the contractor has replaced — and presumably removed — those dislodged temporary pavement markers used during pavement resurfacing.

During construction, all storm drains are blocked with temporary inlet protection filters designed to stop soil or other debris, including pavement markers, from entering, a DOT spokesman said.

We noted that the photos you provided of a loosened marker next to a storm drain did not show any filters. After looking into the situation, the spokesman explained that the storm drain in the photos front 5569 Kalanianaole Highway, roughly a half-mile east of the current construction zone between West Hind Drive and Kirkwood Street.

“Drain inlet filters are only placed where construction work is actively in progress and are removed as soon as work at that location is complete,” he said. “All storm drains within the current work zone are blocked.”

Mahalo

To a thoughtful woman. We were near Shirokiya at Ala Moana Center. It was a hot day in April. The woman, who mentioned she had a husky and a pit bull, was so considerate in bringing a cup of ice and bottled water to hydrate my Great Danes, Chibi and Juni. I didn’t want to put a damper on the moment, so I didn’t mention that Chibi, my mantle (black-and-white) Dane, had cancer, and we were on a final walk and petting, as everyone always loves to pet these gentle giants. Chibi has since died, but I want to say mahalo nui loa to that kind animal lover. — Wes

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.