Question: I know you have written about how to report potholes by phone, but I want to write a letter so that I have a record of my complaint and can follow up on it. Can I do that? If so, what is the address?
Answer: Yes, you may alert the municipal government to potholes that need fixing by several methods, including the U.S. mail. Here is the address:
City and County of Honolulu
Department of Facility Maintenance
1000 Uluohia St., Suite 215
Kapolei, HI 96707
The other methods of alerting the city include calling the pothole hotline at 768-7777 and leaving a detailed message; filling out an online form at 808ne.ws/1RAOE0Z ; or uploading a photo of the pothole and other information via the free smartphone app Honolulu 311.
You may contact the city using whichever method you prefer; all complaints are handled as quickly as resources allow, regardless of how they are received, according to the city.
As we’ve mentioned before, the city is responsible for repairing potholes on roads it oversees, while the federal government, state government and Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation are accountable for their properties. Private roads figure in the mix as well.
You can see a list of roads maintained by the state and HART at 808ne.ws/1OGAF7V.
Q: Have they figured out how that brush fire in Nanakuli started?
A: No, the cause is undetermined, said Capt. David Jenkins, a spokesman for the Honolulu Fire Department.
The fire was one of the largest on Oahu in years, burning about 2,500 acres of forest land and scorching native plants on the brink of extinction, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. The blaze erupted March 17 and took several days to extinguish.
“With drought conditions predicted to get worse across the state as summer approaches, fire managers worry larger and hotter wildfires will continue to not only put people’s homes and lives at risk, but also will destroy critical members of Hawai‘i’s natural and cultural heritage,” according to a news release from DLNR.
Anyone who knows how the fire started may call HFD’s nonemergency dispatch number at 723-FIRE (3473), Jenkins said.
Q: We are redoing our yard, and I have a bunch of pool stuff I don’t need anymore. Can I put the chemicals down the drain?
A: No. Swimming pool chemicals are on the Department of Environmental Services’ list of household hazardous waste that require special handling and should be dropped off at a waste facility contracted by the city.
The city holds drop-off events every two months, on a Saturday. The next one is May 7. You must make an appointment at least a week in advance, and can do so by calling 768-3201.
Auwe
Auwe to inconsiderate drivers who abuse the right-turn-on-red law. They sneak ahead of motorists who have the right of way but are waiting to proceed through the intersection (on the green light) to avoid gridlock. Right-turn-on-red does not mean speed up and cut in front of a car! Wait for your own green light. — Frustrated motorist
Mahalo
Mahalo to a man who pushed my car back into the parking stall when I couldn’t start my car at Country Club Village 6. I forgot to ask his name and want him to know that I appreciated the help so much. — Senior Citizen
Mahalo
On March 29 my 88-year-old father was driving from Mililani to Pearl City. At about 2:30 p.m. one of his tires blew on the H-2 freeway, and he was able to make it to the Waipahu cutoff. Luckily, a young man followed him and helped him change his tire. … In all the stress of the situation, my father couldn’t remember later whether he had said thank you. He felt so bad that he couldn’t sleep all night. He really wants to thank this gentleman for his kindness. — Extremely grateful
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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.
