Question: For many weeks there has been construction on Kaimuki Avenue from Kapahulu to 4th avenues. Can you tell me what type of construction is being done and when it will be completed? Kaimuki Avenue is closed during the day, with only local traffic allowed to drive through. I don’t know exactly when it started, but it has been many weeks.
Answer: The construction work on Kaimuki Avenue is part of a major Board of Water Supply improvement project in the Kapahulu and Kaimuki areas that began in March 2016 and initially was expected to last a year, according to a BWS spokesman and the agency’s website.
Now, barring unforeseen circumstances, work on Kaimuki Avenue should finish by the end of September, and the rest of the project should wrap up by the end of January, said Dymian Racoma, a BWS spokesman.
Overall, the project involves replacing about 4,700 feet of 8-, 6- and 4-inch water mains along Lincoln Avenue from Kapahulu to 3rd avenues; Kaimuki Avenue from Kapahulu to 4th avenues; 2nd Avenue; Belser Street; Aloalo Place; and 3rd Avenue, he said.
Work has taken longer than expected because “various portions of the new waterline had to be realigned due to the discovery of other underground utilities not in the original plans. The contractor also encountered blue rock (dense basalt) under the roadway, making it very difficult to trench and lay the new pipeline,” Racoma said.
The BWS said in a news release issued Feb. 16, 2016, that the project would improve fire protection and water-service reliability for residents in the affected areas by replacing water mains originally installed from the 1930s to the 1950s.
It said then that roadwork would occur Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and involve lane closures at various locations. Motorists were advised to expect delays and use alternate routes during construction hours.
Q: With all the news about mumps, I wondered whether immunization is required to attend school.
A: Yes, the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine is among the immunizations required for Hawaii students. You can read the full list at 808ne.ws/vacrle, on the state Department of Health’s website. The rules apply to public and private schools.
Auwe
While waiting at the doctor’s office in Mililani, I witnessed a mother with three young children getting politely told by the receptionist to make sure her children refrain from playing on the chairs for safety reasons. They were running around the waiting room, jumping on and off the chairs and crawling under the chairs while the sick patients were waiting their turn. This mother talked back, saying that she told her kids not to play around but they wouldn’t listen. She told the receptionist, “What do you expect me to do? They’re kids!” So the receptionist offered to put them in a room, and the mom refused and wanted to cancel her appointment. She said that they should have a play area for kids since they had to wait so long. Shouldn’t she have provided them with books or toys to keep them occupied? Auwe to parents who don’t know how to care for their own children. We need to get a license to drive, a license to get married, etc. How about a license to have children and a course on raising children? I’ve seen too much bad parenting lately. — L.U.
Mahalo
I had selected some metal washers at the marine shop and discovered I had left my wallet at home. The gentleman in front of me said, “That’s OK,” and offered to pay for my purchase. Made my day and continued my thoughts that there are still very kind and generous people. Believe his name to be Christian. — Nancy J.
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.
