Reporting potholes requires some effort but can be done

Question: There are potholes all over Oahu. I know the rain made it worse, but it’s getting ridiculous. I drive a lot for work, and I can’t avoid these craters on the roads. What can we do about it?

Answer: You are not alone in noticing new potholes, even on some recently paved roads. Kokua Line has heard from numerous motorists documenting problems on Kapiolani Boulevard, Nimitz Highway, Laukahi Street, Fern Street and Kamehameha Highway in Kaneohe, to name just a few of the locations cited in recent emails.

Who repairs the potholes depends on who maintains the road on which they occur, responsibility that falls to either the city, state or Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation.

The city maintains a Web page at 808ne.ws/1OGAF7V that lists roads and highways maintained by the state or HART; any road not listed is maintained by the city.

Once you know who maintains the road in question, submit a repair request that includes the location of the pothole (by precise street address, if possible), and mentions cross streets and landmarks.

If the pothole is on a state road, call 536-7852. For roads maintained by HART, call 566-2299 or email info@honolulutransit.org. For potholes on city streets, call 768-7777 or fill out and submit a Pothole Service Request Form online, on the Web page mentioned above.

The form will transmit to the city Division of Road Maintenance. Staff might contact you if they need more details, but will not share your contact information, according to the form.

Don’t vent in vain about the condition of Oahu’s roadways. Take the extra time to email or call in a pothole service request so that the city, state or HART is aware of the problems and can fix them.

Q: You mentioned that special-duty police officers can be hired to direct traffic, control crowds, etc., at certain events. How much does that cost?

A: The cost depends on the duration of the event and the number of officers required. We can provide some basic information to help you estimate security costs for your event.

The cost per officer ranges from $36 to $51 an hour, depending on the officer’s duty, rank and whether the event is paid at the regular or premium rate, according to the Honolulu Police Department’s website. Hourly rates are paid directly to the officers.

For every four officers hired, one sergeant is required. For every three sergeants hired, one lieutenant is required.

In addition, there are flat fees for the use of equipment, including cars, motorcycles and bicycles, and administrative charges. If the event requires officers to drive (as when escorting funerals), mileage fees will be added as well.

For specifics from HPD, including instructions on how to request a special-duty officer, see 808ne.ws/1PwbPZ5.

‘Going Green’ event

Kaimuki’s 12th annual community cleanup happens Saturday. Drop off recyclable items at Kaimuki High School, to benefit community programs.

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the school, 2705 Kaimuki Ave.

Items accepted include scrap metal; computers, monitors, scanners, printers and printer cartridges; one TV per car; HI-5 beverage containers; used household cooking oil; cellphones; all kinds of batteries; usable clothing; used eyeglasses and hearing aids; towels; blankets; prom dresses and women’s business suits.

No paint, tires, motor oil, hazardous fluids, paper, plastics (other than HI-5 containers), wood or bulky items will be accepted.

The event also will collect canned goods for the Hawaii Foodbank.

For information, call Rene Mansho at 291-6151 or email renemansho@hawaii.rr.com.

Auwe

I’ve noticed a number of construction workers at Ala Moana Center sitting on bus-stop benches at the mall, smoking. Honolulu ordinance bans smoking within a 20-foot perimeter of a bus stop, so why is there no enforcement by the city or the construction company that employs these workers? They shouldn’t be sitting there smoking.

Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.