Question: Every time I go to the Kroc Center, I see Kiewit tanker trucks filling up with water from a nearby hydrant. Does Kiewit have an arrangement with the county permitting it to take water when and where it wants to?
Answer: The construction company has permission to use that particular fire hydrant, and pays for the water it draws, according to the Board of Water Supply. The hydrant is just south of the West Oahu community center and north of the Oahu rail transit line that is under construction. Kiewit is one of the major rail contractors.
Because you supplied the hydrant number — L7461 — the Honolulu Board of Water Supply was able to quickly confirm that Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. has a temporary water meter account for that hydrant. “The device measures the amount of water drawn from the hydrant so that the BWS can bill Kiewit for that quantity. As with any other BWS customer with a metered account, Kiewit personnel can draw water from this temporary water service point at any time,” said Tracy Burgo, acting information officer for the Board of Water Supply.
Burgo shared a photo of the legitimate temporary hookup, which is sturdily crafted and carefully affixed and locked to the hydrant, in hopes that it might educate readers and deter misuse elsewhere.
“Should your readers see anyone taking water from a hydrant that does not have such a hookup, they are advised to call 911 to report it, as this is considered water theft,” Burgo said. “A police report is needed for the BWS to be able to follow up.”
Q: Why does Kaimuki Middle School have a recently built covered parking area, and who is allowed to park there?
A: “The covered parking canopy at Kaimuki Middle is a solar panel array and is part of DOE’s Ka Hei energy efficiency and sustainability program,” said Derek Inoshita, a spokesman for the state Department of Education. “It’s one of 30 arrays that are being installed at various campuses in the first phase of the Ka Hei program and will help to furnish the school with clean energy and reduce overall energy costs.”
The covered parking area has 28 stalls, which are designated as employee parking for the school, he said.
The adjacent Kilauea District Park/Gym has its own, uncovered parking lot.
You can learn more about the DOE’s Ka Hei program at 808ne.ws/ 1UH61MN, which provides details about related initiatives throughout the statewide public school system.
According to the website, the school system spends more than $62 million a year on electricity, gas, water and sewage fees — a 50 percent increase over the past 10 years. “We are excited to improve our sustainability profile by lowering energy expenses, protecting the environment and reinvesting funds into the classroom” thanks to Ka Hei innovations, the site says.
Auwe
It is a concern to me that people climb atop the Crouching Lion, the rock formation near Kahana Bay. Not only could they get hurt, but they might destroy a treasured landmark. — Mary Moore
Mahalo
Mahalo to the city and county refuse division. I placed my bulky items out for pickup on the day they were supposed to be picked up. No one came by to pick it up. Two days later I called to ask whether the items would be picked up soon. I spoke to a supervisor, who said he would see to it that the bulky items would be picked up. That very day my bulky items were gone, and I know the refuse people came by. Some people think that government workers are slackers, but not so! Thank you, refuse crew! Keep up the good work! — Appreciative senior
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