Question: Thanks for the information about how to improve the home setup for dogs prone to barking (808ne.ws/8717kline). Unfortunately, some people just shouldn’t own pets, and they don’t have any consideration for their neighbors, either. So my question is, Do you have to put your name on the complaint to the Humane Society?
Answer: Yes, the Hawaiian Humane Society’s Citizen Complaint Form (808ne.ws/barkcom) asks for the complainant’s and witnesses’ names, addresses and phone numbers, along with similar information (if known) about the offending dog owner.
The form also seeks a description of the incident (including date, time and location), as well as a general statement about what occurred.
Complaints are kept confidential, unless the matter goes to court, in which case the dog’s owner, the prosecutor and the judge would have access to the statement, according to the form.
Q: Can I get a refund from the city for a home exemption that I was entitled to but didn’t know to take? I’ve been overpaying for years.
A: No, according to the Real Property Assessment Division of the city’s Department of Budget and Fiscal Services. “The Revised Ordinances of Honolulu do not provide for tax refunds for home exemptions that are not filed,” according to the division’s website. You can claim the exemption moving forward, however.
Yours is a frequent question to Kokua Line, and arises after we write about property tax breaks of one sort or another. For a list of Oahu property tax exemptions, dedications and rebates, as well as links to the forms necessary to claim them, see 808ne.ws/propfor.
Q: How are they going to keep homeless campers from taking over Blaisdell Park again?
A: The city said it will enforce park closure hours from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily once Neal S. Blaisdell Park reopens, scheduled for Friday. The park and adjacent portions of the Pearl Harbor Bike Path have been closed since early August for a major cleanup. Dozens of homeless people have relocated to shelters and other housing, according to the city.
Q: A while ago you did a story about a homeless service provider that was teaching clients a skill: making candies or cookies, I believe. People were trained on-site, and it had potential to help people help themselves. I cut out the article and lost it. Do you recall this?
A: Yes, it seems you are referring to Chocolate on a Mission, a Chinatown candy shop that is part of the “reintegration and job-training arm” of the River of Life Mission, according to its website. River of Life clients are trained to help make candy, which is sold online and at various retail outlets. You can find out more on its website, chocolateonamission.com.
Palolo pool reopens
The pool at Palolo Valley District Park reopened Monday; it had been closed since mid-April. According to the city, the pool’s current public hours are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:15 to 11:45 a.m. and 2:30 to 5 p.m.; and Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 1 to 4 p.m. The shower facility also reopened. The park’s gym and weight room remain closed for repairs, the city said in a news release.
Mahalo
I drove to Lex Brodie’s recently to have my tires checked. I signed a work order for air pressure and possible punctures in my tires. When my car was ready, the service attendant told me that everything was fine and there was no charge. I couldn’t believe my ears! No charge? I hastily signed and replied, “Thank you, very much.” There is still a lot of aloha in our state. — Mahalo, Eloise
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.
