Question: Regarding beach wheelchair access: The Parks and Rec website does not mention that there is little or no maintenance of the wheelchair-access mats. Kaimana’s is missing large sections of mat and what is there is mostly buried. Totally unusable! At Ala Moana on the Diamond Head end, the mat is in bad shape, mostly buried. I haven’t seen the mat at the Ewa end of the park.

Answer: Your question refers to Friday’s Kokua Line column (808ne.ws/8417KL), which discussed a Honolulu Department of Parks & Recreation webpage that lists 11 Oahu beach parks that lend all-terrain wheelchairs during daytime hours and/or have beach-access mats that create a firm, flat surface on soft sand, allowing wheelchair users to ride closer to the ocean in their own wheelchairs. Four beach parks are listed as having only all-terrain wheelchairs; four as having only beach-access mats; and three as having both.

You’re correct that the website (808ne.ws/atwcoahu) does not mention difficulties with the beach-access mats, so we followed up with the department, asking a spokesman to verify the problems that you described; when repairs would be made, if needed; and how often (generally) access mats are maintained or replaced at all the beach parks listed as having them. Here is spokesman Nathan Serota’s reply:

“Our beach wheelchair access mats are monitored by our Therapeutic Recreation Unit, who work with park maintenance staff to keep these resources usable. Please take into account that many of these mats are located at popular beach areas, which are heavily trafficked, so sand accumulating on the mats is a common occurrence. We plan on addressing the issues reported by your reader, and will make any needed repairs.”

The Therapeutic Recreation Unit’s mission is to help ensure that people with disabilities can access Parks & Rec programs and activities. You can find out more about the unit at 808ne.ws/trupr, or call 768-3027 or email parks-tru@honolulu.gov.

Q: My son was upset with me because I walked a little after my car broke down. He said that was dangerous and I should have called him or the free tow service. What free tow service?

A: The Freeway Service Patrol, at 841-HELP (4357), provides free emergency service to motorists stranded on Oahu’s H-1, H-2 and H-201 Moanalua freeways. The patrol, which offers limited towing, is on duty from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, except holidays.

Auwe

Here is an “auwe” in reply to L.U. (808ne.ws/KL8717). Auwe for judging others based on partial information — in this case a mother with three children who couldn’t sit still in a doctor’s office. Don’t judge! You don’t know the situation of the parent; clearly she had no one to leave her kids with but had to see the doctor. You don’t know her family situation, you don’t know her health issues, you don’t know anything about the kids. Yes, it can be annoying for those who witness it. One of my children was clinically diagnosed as difficult from birth. It’s impossible to count the number of times I was embarrassed by her behavior, knowing how others saw us while not having solutions. My lesson learned, which I hope has made me more tolerant of others, is not to judge/criticize parents and others when you don’t know their situation. — J.G.

Mahalo

A big mahalo to a very kind and generous gentleman at Waipio Zippy’s. This is a belated “thank you” as it occurred in March. Nevertheless, it has been on our minds all this time. When we were through with our dinner and asked for the check, the waitress told us that the tab had already been paid for. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We will definitely pay it forward. — Two seniors

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.