Question: Regarding taking up two stalls in a private lot (Kokua Line, Dec. 10, bit.ly/2H20zIp), what about if it’s a public street or parking lot?
Answer: That would be a violation, unless the vehicle exceeds the length or width of the marked parking stall, according to Sec. 15- 13.3(b) of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu. Violators can face a fine of $35, according to the the Honolulu Police Department’s website.
Q: My wife warned me not to park on the street except in a marked spot. There are unmarked spaces, too. Is she right? Street parking is tight where we live.
A: We can’t answer precisely, because you didn’t want to give your Oahu location and invite enforcement. In general, though, it is true that if parking spaces are marked on a street block, it is legal only to park in those designated spaces and not in an unmarked space on the same block, per ROH Sec. 15-13.3(c). There are exceptions, so we can’t say for sure in your case.
Q: Auwe! Not to be a Grinch, but what is so hard about following directions? Every year they say NOT to set your whole Christmas tree out for bulky pickup, and every year some people do just that! It makes the neighborhood a mess.
A: People have a million excuses for not doing the right thing, but rather than getting into that, we’ll use your complaint as a chance to repeat the city’s instructions on how to dispose of live Christmas trees, now that the holidays are over. Perhaps some readers hadn’t heard before, or maybe the job of cutting up the tree is too strenuous. If that’s the case, we hope neighbors will help one another.
Here are instructions from the city Department of Environmental Services:
>> Households on the city’s three-cart automated collection routes, with a green cart for green waste: Cut up the tree so that it fits inside the green cart with the lid closed. Cut the trunk and branches into lengths up to 3 feet so that the pieces fall freely from the cart during collection. Do not put trees with flocking or tinsel into the green cart; those should be cut, bagged and left in the gray cart with the general household rubbish.
>> Households on manual curbside collection routes: Cut the tree into lengths up to 3 feet, bundle and place at the curb on your normal refuse day.
>> Do not put trees out for bulky pickup. Residents may drop off whole Christmas trees at the nearest Refuse Convenience Center (except for Wahiawa Convenience Center) or at the Kapaa Transfer Station in Kailua. Residents may drop off trees with no flocking or tinsel for free at the composting facility in Wahiawa.
>> Condominiums and commercial buildings may deliver large loads of Christmas trees directly to the composting facility. To arrange deliveries, call ENV’s Refuse Division at 768-3200.
Q: Where is the guide that tells you what to bring to get your license?
A: Go to www2.honolulu.gov/documentguide to confirm that you have the correct documents, before you visit the government office to acquire a Hawaii driver’s license or permit or a Hawaii state ID card. We’re spelling out the full address because we’ve heard from a few readers who’ve had trouble finding it on the city’s website.
Mahalo
Big-time mahalo to the three guys who helped me jump my dead battery at McDonald’s on Nimitz on Dec. 18. I forget their names, but they drove a dark grayish Honda Fit. Super nice and helpful, with great aloha spirit. Mahalo! — Ric W.
Mahalo
On Dec. 18 my aunt and I were having lunch at Shige’s Saimin Stand in Wahiawa. We were approached by a kind gentleman who said, “Lunch is on me.” We were truly blessed by his kindness. Thank you! — Auntie Mary and Doreen
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.
