Question: Why aren’t all the city pools open on Sundays? With so many parents working, the city shouldn’t assume that kids can go to the pool during the week. They should be open both weekend days, especially during the summer.
Answer: Some of the 21 public swimming pools on Oahu are open on Sundays and some aren’t, based on community needs and pool usage as monitored by pool staff, said Nathan Serota, spokesman for the Department of Parks and Recreation.
Kokua Line suggests that you contact your neighborhood board or City Council representative if you believe the pool in your neighborhood would be well used on Sundays. Another reader who called with a similar question figures that Parks and Rec may be relying on outdated usage estimates for his changing neighborhood. He planned to organize community outreach on the issue; you might wish to do the same.
Serota also provided an update on the pools at Makiki District Park and Wahiawa District Park, both of which have reopened following repairs and a renovation project, respectively. That leaves two public pools — in Manoa and Palolo — closed for repairs.
Q: Are they putting in volleyball courts at Magic Island?
A: No, but the city is constructing two new sand volleyball courts on the opposite end of Ala Moana Regional Park, near where Ala Moana Park Drive turns into Kamakee Street. A news release from the mayor’s office described the Ewa, makai location as an underutilized corner of the popular 119-acre park. The courts are expected to open this fall; the construction zone and area immediately surrounding it are closed to the public in the meantime.
Q: What documents must be presented to qualify that person to be a registered voter?
A: You can register to vote online at https://olvr.hawaii.gov if you have your Social Security number handy, plus either a Hawaii driver’s license or Hawaii state ID card. Absent either of the latter (driver’s license or state ID), you’ll be advised to fill out the Voter Registration & Permanent Absentee form, which you can find at 808ne.ws/vote808. People using the form to register to vote in Hawaii for the first time must provide proof of identification such as a current and valid photo ID or a current utility bill, bank statement, government check or other government document showing their name and address. Anyone who fails to provide the proof of identification with the application will have to do so when they try to vote, according to the state Office of Elections.
Mahalo
Mahalo to Hawaiian Telcom technician Rick for the excellent customer service I received when he came to take care of my phone problems. … Too often we are quick to complain about bad service and forget to say “mahalo” for good service. — Kailua senior citizen
Mahalo
We hear from time to time that the spirit of aloha is dead. Not so! Sleepy or napping for a spell, perhaps; dead never! Case in point: The adventure begins with my leaving one of my bags at the first No. 8 mauka bus stop on the backside of Ala Moana Center. The bag I inadvertently left contained my whole life: credit cards, state ID, VA ID, TriWest Health authorization number and cash (the least important item under the circumstances). I still cannot believe my carelessness, which occurred about 10 a.m. By shortly afternoon the bag had been delivered to the dispatcher’s office at the Kalihi Transit Terminal. … How many kamaaina or malihini Ala Moana shoppers and conscientious bus operators do I have to thank? The number may be many. At least they know who they are. This old, semi-disabled Marine veteran sends them the fondest mahalo nui loa and hopes that one day they will receive a return for such conscious kindness. — The Maje
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.
