Question: How can I find out which beaches have the best wheelchair access?
Answer: For beaches on Oahu, check 808ne.ws/atwcoahu, a page on the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation website that lists beach parks that loan visitors all-terrain wheelchairs during daytime hours and/or have beach-access mats in place.
As the website describes, beach-access mats are long runners that create a firm, flat surface atop the sand. They are typically set from accessible paths to the high-water mark, allowing wheelchair users to ride closer to the ocean in their own wheelchairs. The all-terrain wheelchairs offered at some locations are low-slung, three-wheeled transports with oversize rubber tires that allow them to roll over soft sand or uneven terrain without sinking.
The website lists the locations of 11 beach parks that offer one or both of these resources, along with the available hours and phone numbers to call to reserve an all-terrain wheelchair, if reservations are required at that site. Locations and hours are subject to change, according to the website, so be sure to call your preferred site to confirm availability.
If you are unable to check the website, call 768-3027 for more information.
Q: I recently submitted my semiannual general excise tax payment. Why did I have to send the tax form explaining my payment to one post office box and send my payment check to another post office box? Where I used to send everything to one post office box, now I need to make a separate envelope, plus put an extra stamp to submit both envelopes. I am not happy with whoever in the tax office masterminded this procedure!
A: Kokua Line has received numerous complaints about this process, which according to the state Department of Taxation’s website applies only to GET payments and began in December 2015.
According to the tax department, the dual mailings are intended to expedite the processing of GET returns and payments. Payment vouchers and checks are mailed to one post office box, known as the Lockbox, where they are retrieved directly by the bank processing them. GET paper returns (Form G-45) are mailed to a separate post office box, where they are retrieved by the tax department and processed as usual.
The department says this method should speed up, not slow down, the overall processing of GET returns, including refunds. However, we have heard from numerous readers who, like you, dislike having to separate the forms and fill out and mail two envelopes. You might wish to consider filing online, which you can learn more about at tax.hawaii.gov/eservices.
E Kala Mai
On July 18, about 2 p.m., I was traveling north on Liliha Street in a red pickup with a pipe rack. At Liliha and School streets I mistakenly started going through a red light. I thank a driver going west for his quick action. He honked his horn and avoided a collision with me. I will now never complain or criticize another driver about anything! Thank you. — A reader
Mahalo
There aren’t enough words to thank the kind woman behind me at Times in Kailua who paid for my food. I didn’t get her name, as I was in shock. This was during graduation season, and she had three beautiful lei. I do hope that she reads this and knows how much I appreciate her kindness. I will try to return the kindness to another person. — 92-year-old senior
Mahalo
Mahalo to Rudy and Doug of the Navy Exchange. On June 19 I had a flat (shredded) tire on H-2, just outside Wahiawa. These angels flagged me over and cheerfully changed it. May God bless them. — Jane
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.
