Safety inspection station can replace lost certificate

Question: We lost the slip they give you when you get your car examined for the safety check. We still have the sticker affixed to our bumper but need the certificate. The gas station where we did our safety check said they don’t keep files of the certificates because the information is transmitted to the state Department of Transpor-tation. I contacted the DOT, which referred me to the state Motor Vehicle Safety Office, which referred me to another agency. I haven’t tried calling for fear that they’ll just bounce me around. Who handles this?

Answer: The answer came from Sheri Kajiwara, director of the city Department of Customer Services: Go back to the station, which should provide you with a copy of the certificate.

Even though the DOT’s Electronic Periodic Vehicle Inspection Program eliminated the need for paper copies to be submitted to the counties, inspection stations should be able to access their records and reprint a copy of the certificate, she said.

There may be some confusion among the stations because the DOT’s previous rules dealt only with the replacement of safety stickers.

But the sticker and certificate now are printed on one sheet and issued as a set, Kajiwara said. "Thus, in this scenario of the lost certificate, the sticker will be replaced as well in the process."

Section 19-133.2-22(f)(3) of theDOT’s Revised Administrative Rules says in part, "A fee of not more than $6.69 may be charged by the operator of an inspection station for replacement of destroyed or lost inspection sticker or certificate, both of which will be replaced with the same transaction."

After staff visited an inspection station to check the process, "I can safely verify that if the station issued the original safety check, they are able to reissue a duplicate," Kajiwara said. "We will work with inspection stations to ensure that they are aware of this new state policy."

If your safety sticker is nearing expiration, you may opt to just renew it for an additional year at the standard rate, she said.

Question: About two years ago I called our City Council representative and recommended installing stanchions at the base of the Kapiolani Boulevard exit from the H-1 freeway. Drivers going Ewa on H-1 exit the offramp and make a dangerous left turn across four lanes into Mahiai Street, almost directly across from the end of the ramp. I was told they would be installed at the end of 2014, but still no stanchions. What’s happening?

Answer: The placement of "vertical delineators" is moving forward, but it all depends on when funding can be secured.

It’s taken a while because jurisdiction of the area is split between the state and city, said Michael Formby, director of the city Department of Transportation Services.

DTS recently received approval from the state Department of Transpor-

tation to install the vertical delineators in the striped island area, which will prevent motorists exiting the H-1 from crossing over and making an unsafe left turn, he said.

There is no time frame at this point, "but DTS is actively working to secure funding," Formby said.

Mahalo

To bus driver Kevin, who spent his own time trying to return the wallet, containing the visa, of a Japanese tourist found on his bus. Mahalo also to TheBus for the comprehensive new bus route maps, which were a long time coming. I help many tourists who cannot find their way around our bus system, and this is a big help. The next step is to put these maps on display at prominent stops, please. — Tiny Elaine Chang

Oahu Transit Services appreciates your words of appreciation for bus operator Kevin Lee "for going above and beyond to assist our customer," said spokeswoman Michelle Kennedy.

Regarding the system maps: They aren’t available at any bus stops because they are "quite large, which makes it hard to post and distribute at most bus stops," she said.

Kennedy noted that maps and rider’s guides are provided to all Waikiki hotels to assist visitors riding TheBus.

Riders also are encouraged to pick up a map at OTS’ timetable distribution locations. To find a location, go to thebus.org. Click on the system map icon at the bottom of the page to download a map.

Mahalo

To a nice couple, Jim and his wife, Laurel, from Waipahu. I was at Ala Moana Center and ordered a plate lunch. It was so large, I couldn’t even eat one-fourth of it. Jim was sitting next to me and got me a plastic bag and bagged the leftovers for me. After I was finished with my meal, he threw away the trash for me. I really appreciated their help. — Grateful Senior Citizen

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.